AU Researchers Helping Voters with Disabilities Have Voices Heard
When we are traveling to the polls to cast the ballot of our choice, how often do we think of those with disabilities and if they are having the opportunity to place their vote? Voters with disabilities face barriers and discrimination nationwide. Auburn University is partnering with IBM, Indiana University and the AU Center for Governmental Services to make a change in the voting system and give voters with disabilities a chance to have their voices heard through their votes.
Receiving a grant from the AU Outreach Office, Professor Juan Gilbert of Auburn University began research for the voting system on Oct. 19, 2006 with a team of 10 Auburn graduate students and faculty members. The advanced electronic voting system they began working on is called Prime III; it enables those with certain disabilities to vote in elections with privacy and simplicity. The name Prime stands for premier voting systems and the number III incorporates the three methods of voting used by the program: visual, touch and speech.
Gilbert believes Prime III will be successful and helpful. “It will enable a greater group of people to participate in our electoral process, plus it is secure,� states Gilbert. He envisioned the idea for Prime III after hearing a specialist in electronic voting talk about the flaws in existing electronic voting systems. “It was noted then that electronic voting systems were found to be quite vulnerable to hackers, faulty code, lack of recount ability and human error,� says Gilbert.
Prime III is an electronic voting system for people with disabilities such as, hearing, visual and physical; however, it can be used by everyone. The voting system 
incorporates the current voting process that the voter is accustomed to using and significantly improves upon it. “This approach allows voters with disabilities to remain confident and calm while using the enhanced voting system,� states Gilbert. “They will have the option of using the touch screen, headset with an embedded microphone or both to cast their ballot.�
Also, voter privacy will be secured by using randomly generated numbers during the time the voter views or hears their options. Then to ensure accuracy of vote counts and protect against malicious intent, a barcode system and printed ballot will be used while the voter is able to review and confirm their vote.
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