Outstanding Innovations in Elections
Electronic ballot software system, launched in the spring of 2018, which allowed blind or visually impaired voters to independently cast an absentee ballot.
During 2018, New Mexico implemented a new electronic ballot software system which allowed blind or visually impaired voters to independently cast an absentee ballot. The electronic ballot system includes functionality allowing blind and visually impaired voters to mark, print, and mail a hard copy of their ballot back to the county clerk for processing. The new system was launched in the spring of 2018, just prior to the June primary election, was used by dozens of voters during its inaugural election, and was extremely well-received by the voters it was intended to serve. Implementation efforts for the new system took four years to complete, during which time the New Mexico Secretary of State’s Office collaborated with both the National Federation of the Blind – New Mexico and the New Mexico Commission for the Blind. These close relationships have created a more accessible election process across the state, and will continue moving forward.
