Suffolk residents are getting the chance to see and test a new generation of voting machines before they are used in upcoming elections, as the county Board of Elections (BOE) holds demonstrations to familiarize voters with the updated technology.
The demonstrations allow members of the public to step up to the machines, walk through the voting process, and ask questions about how the system works. The county allocated $34.8 million for the new machines and other BOE infrastructure in its 2024 capital plan.
The machines combine digital touchscreen technology with traditional paper ballots, creating what election officials describe as a hybrid system designed to improve accuracy while maintaining a verifiable paper record of every vote.
Under the new process, voters will check in at their polling place and receive a blank ballot, like they have done previously. Instead of moving to another station, voters will enter a curtained booth and insert the ballot into the voting machine.
Once the ballot is inserted, a touchscreen interface guides voters through their choices. The system allows them to select their preferred language and cast their votes for each race or ballot question by tapping the screen.
The software is designed to prevent over-voting by blocking selections that exceed the number of candidates allowed for a particular office. Voters are also given the opportunity to review their choices before completing the process.
If a race is left blank, the machine alerts the voter and allows them to return to that contest before finalizing their vote. Write-in candidates remain an option through a touchscreen keyboard that allows voters to type in a name.
Accessibility features are built into the machines to assist voters with disabilities. Adjustable screens can be lowered and angled for wheelchair users, while handsets with braille instructions and audio guidance help voters who are visually impaired. Additional controls are available for voters with limited mobility.
Once the voter confirms their selections, the machine prints the choices onto the paper ballot. The ballot is then cast into a secure lockbox inside the machine, creating a physical record that can be used to verify results if necessary.
Election officials say the machines are not connected to the internet and are designed to provide both security and a clear paper trail for every vote cast.
Demonstrations will run to April 17. For dates and locations, visit suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/BOE.