Monrovians Have the Opportunity to Test New Voting Devices

By Fabiola Diaz

In2020, Los Angeles County will introduce its new voting system, the VotingSolutions for All People (VSAP), which has been designed just for L.A. Countyvoters.  VSAP incorporates new votecenters, machines, an interactive sample ballot, and an electronic pollbook.

Insteadof traditional polling locations, voters can visit any vote center located inthe county over an 11-day period.

Thecounty is also replacing outdated, often malfunctioning, machines, with theBallot Marking Device (BMD). Voters can access 13 languages, adjust the touchscreen to a comfortable angle, change the display settings (including textsizes and contrast), or go through the ballot utilizing the audio headset andcontrol pad (making the device more accessible for people with mobile andvisual challenges), according to LA Vote. To address security concerns, thedevice will not be connected to a network or the internet, and will require apaper ballot which will have a human-readable summary of selections. Voterswill also be asked to review their ballots twice before submitting.

TheInteractive Sample Ballot (ISB) allows voters to review their ballotinformation and make selections prior to visiting a vote center (you must stillvisit a physical location to cast your vote and these selections are onlystored on your phone). After making their selections, the ISB crease a QR codewhich voters can scan to transfer their selections to the BMD. Voters willstill be able to review their selections and make changes before casting theirvote.

TheElectronic Pollbook (ePollbook) will replace printed voter lists which will beused by vote center staff to verify registration eligibility and preventindividuals from casting a vote twice. The ePollbook is not connected to theBMD or the tally system to protect voters’ personal information.

TheMonrovia City Clerk’s Office has partnered with the L.A. County Registrar’sOffice to allow Monrovians the opportunity to test use the BMD before the 2020election pilot program launches in March. To use the machines visit theMonrovia Public Library every Saturday in October from noon to 5 p.m. or CityHall every Monday through Thursday in October from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. A countyrepresentative will be present to answer any questions and offerdemonstrations.

For more information on vote centers and voting changes, visit vsap.lavote.net.

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