I think a very positive move forward is under development. In England a national pilot scheme on alternative ways of voting including via Internet and SMS text message is being trialled at the May 2nd local elections in five English districts. I live in a district where three wards are taking part in the pilot.
I use voice recognition software on my computer because I have a progressive physical impairment that means I have no voluntary movement. I will be able to vote in my own home via the Internet using this software. For the first time in some ten years I will be able to vote in the same way as anyone else. This means I can behave like any other member of the community and cast my vote in privacy. I think this is a good example of technology leaping forward and making improvements for disabled and nondisabled people alike.
I'm told that this will be the first time anywhere in the world that someone with no independent movement has been able to vote in a formal election without assistance. Of course, it would not be possible to log into a ballot paper without a password and pin number, but the site itself can be visited at www.votesheffield.com The site can be an entirely navigated by voice if you have appropriate software on your computer (I use Dragon NaturallySpeaking).
I would be interested to know if anyone is aware of any similar hands-free voting system that operates anywhere else in the world.
Christine Barton
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