Secret ballot delivered in its truest sense thanks to new voting equipment

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The proud smile on Jean Daniel Ouellette's face yesterday afternoon told a story of accomplishment.

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Greg Agnew/Times & Transcript

Jean Daniel Ouellet, left, listens to Charles Levasseur, an assistive technology specialist with the Neil Squire Society, as he explains how the specialized voting equipment works.

For the first time, the 25-year-old Moncton resident, who has had cerebral palsy his entire life, voted independently and delivered a secret ballot in its truest sense.

Elections New Brunswick has introduced technology for the first time to allow seriously disabled residents the opportunity to vote by secret ballot. The technology is being used for the May 12 municipal elections.

Ouellette, a St-Quentin native who moved to Moncton last year, used the machine yesterday at the Moncton returning office in Highfield Square.

Using an "augmented communications device," similar to a laptop computer, Ouellette called the new voting method "a positive experience" because it was "private."

His father, Patrick Ouellette, said the method boosted Jean Daniel's self-esteem.

"He voted in other elections, but he had to point to the candidate he wanted to vote for and I marked it for him," Patrick said.

"He likes this a lot better because he gets to do it by himself. He didn't need my help."

The new technology involves headphones and a large keypad. The voter listens to the names of the candidates over the headphones then signals the X on the keypad when he wants to vote.

The ballot is then printed out with the Xs in the appropriate spots. The voter then checks the ballot to make sure it is okay before handing it over to Elections New Brunswick staff.

Charles Levasseur, an assistive technology specialist, said the method has never been used in New Brunswick before. In fact, he added, this may be a first for Canada, although it has been used in parts of the United States.

Elections New Brunswick has 27 of these devices throughout the province. Not all polling stations will be equipped with them, but disabled residents who wish to use them should go to their local returning office.

There is also a "sip and puff" device for disabled residents who cannot use their hands or arms. These voters blow in a straw to mark their X and the technology takes over from there.

"It's important to include as many people as we can in the election process," Levasseur said.