Voting machines that caused problems last year get second chance

New York City voters will again be using the new paper ballots that caused befuddlement and uproar last Election Day.
After complaints of difficult to read ballots, broken voting machines and confusion the Board of Elections (BOE) has produced a series of tips to make sure voters are prepared.
The paper ballots can be marked with either pen or electonic ballot marking device – a device that assists voters in marking a paper ballot.
Be sure to completely fill in the ovals next to the candidates’ names. If the voter makes a mistake, he or she can simply fold the original ballot on half, give it to a poll worker and request a new ballot.
Trained poll workers will be on site to assist those who require help. Magnifying glasses will also be available.
Interpreters will be on hand where required for Spanish, Chinese-Mandarin, Chinese-Cantonese and Korean speakers.
To find your poll site visit gis.nyc.gov/vote/ps/index.htm.
The city’s new voting system uses an optical scanner to read marked paper ballots which replaced the old lever voting booths. The new system was implemented after the 2002 Help America Vote Act which required a voting system that produces a permanent, verifiable paper record.
To learn more about the voting system visit www.vote.nyc.ny.us.