I used one of the new voting machines today after work. I found the machine itself easy to use, and don’t have any complaints about it. It was actually quite intuitive. I imagine that older people and others who aren’t as computer-literate as I might take a little longer to have a good comfort-level with this new machine. But, overall, I don’t think there’s much of a learning curve.
I don’t know if this is the way my new precinct has always been or if this has to do with the new machines, but I noticed that the line went pretty slowly. There were only maybe four to six people there to vote, but it took about 15 minutes to go through the line. It never took me more than 5 minutes to vote at my old precinct, under the old system. Anyone else experience delays compared to past primaries?
I still maintain that there was nothing wrong with the old system, and that this was a case of solving a problem that didn’t exist.
I used the machine for the first time today too. I was just as skeptical as you until I voted. Yes, it is a little more involved than drawing a line, but I think after people do it a few times they will be able to vote faster. Also, as a former election judge, I can see the benefit of not having to count ballots and run them downtown after a long and tiring day.
Our precinct was combined with another, and I’m told it will be permanently. That could slow up the process in a presidential election where a lot of people vote who don’t vote any other time, so they won’t be familier with the machines like those who vote every election. However, I was surprisingly pleased with this process.
I used the machines today as well but do have a number of issues.
First, it seemed to be a requirement that everyone had to get a 5-minute presentation on using the machine (there was an optional video you could watch as well) wether you wanted it or needed it.
Second, the machines were turned so that your back was toward the area where all the foot traffic was where anyone could look over your shoulder and view who you were voting for. A “helpful” voting machine instructor even walked over and seeing that I didn’t need his instruction, told me that I was doing fine.
All in all, I didn’t mind the new machines – but didn’t at all care for the presentation and the invasion into my once “secret ballot”.
There were less machines than there used to be booths in my precinct.
Mom– good point. Raoul points out something I suspected — that there are fewer voting machines than there used to be booths. Since I switched precincts, I couldn’t tell if that was the case, so I’m glad to get confirmation on that. I also experienced what Murrel did, sort of. I got the presentation that I didn’t need, but it didn’t hold me up. I was waiting in line for a voting machine anyway. I also noticed that the new hooded machines are not as private as the old booths were. I wonder why they couldn’t just put these machines in the old booths?