Voting independently and privately

eVoting improves access for the impaired as well as for the illiterate and citizens living abroad. The voting software was customized to support 12 languages, and included zoom and contrasting options on the kiosk screen and an audio interface. It also offers such additional features as headphones and a specially selected keyboard.

Problems Targeted

Prior to this project visually impaired voters were unable to vote in private, as they required the assistance of a sighted person.

Solution, Innovation and Impact

The Victorian Electoral Commission implemented measures to allow visually impaired citizens to vote on an equal basis with their peers: independently, privately, and with the highest security standards. The voting software was customized to support 12 languages, and included several zoom and contrasting options on the kiosk screen and an audio interface. It also offered such additional features as headphones and a specially selected keyboard. In addition to the technology, Scytl Secure Electronic Voting, S.A. customized the voting system, provided training materials for poll workers and election officials, and completed the on-site support during the election.

Funding, Outlook and Transferability

In cooperation with Scytl and Hewlett Packard Australia, the voting system was expanded in terms of functionality, voting channels (including phone voting), and geographical reach (including Victorian citizens residing in the UK or in other Australian states). The state of New South Wales (Australia) and the state of Gujarat (India) have already contracted Scytl to improve their voter accessibility. The Victorian projects were run as trials and supported by legislation. Moving beyond the trial status is expected to increase awareness of the solution via media outreach.