A Voter Assist Terminal is now available for East St. Louis elections in order to allow voters with disabilities and other special needs to mark a ballot privately and independently when using an optical scan voting system. The Voter Assist Terminal is also available for usage by any registered voter.

The technology was developed based on input from election authorities and disability organizations. The Voter Assist Terminal does not tally or store votes; rather, it is a ballot-marking system designed to provide privacy and accessibility to voters who are blind, vision-impaired, or have a disability or condition that would make it difficult or impossible to mark a ballot in the usual way.

Even a temporary condition, such as a broken arm, could make it difficult for a person to mark a ballot. In addition, the technology provides language assistance to voters who are more comfortable speaking a different language or who need help to better understand written instructions.

The drawing below demonstrates the voter's usage of the new Voter Assist Terminal: