Kyc: Pinellas and Hillsborough: Touch-screen Q&A

A: Yes. Near the entrance to each precinct a poll worker has been assigned to demonstrate the new machines to each voter. Also, a roving poll worker has been assigned to help voters once they've arrived at a machine. Just ask for help.

In addition, anyone may bring someone along to assist them. If you haven't notified the elections office in advance, you'll be asked to complete and sign an "affirmation." Your assistant may be anyone you choose or two poll workers, most likely one from each major party.

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Q: It might take me a while to figure out the new machine. Is there a time limit?

A: Not any more.

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Q: They want me to insert an "activation card" before I vote. Doesn't that have my name on it, and won't it tell people how I voted?

A: No. The card does not contain names or votes. Its only function is to call up the correct ballot on the screen.

Q: How is my vote counted?

A: Your vote is recorded inside the machine and retrieved at the end of the day by poll workers. Like the old system, no one can tell how you voted.

Q: Won't a power outage cancel everything on the machine, including my vote?

A: No. Backup batteries in each machine have enough power to keep them going for hours in an emergency.

Q: What if my name is not on the register?

A: Poll workers are supposed to make every effort to solve the problem. You may be at the wrong precinct. You may not have registered. Some other glitch may have occurred. A poll worker may phone the election office. In any case, the new Florida elections law guarantees that you can't be turned away. The last resort is a "provisional ballot," a paper ballot that you complete and drop into a box at the polling place. However, it will not count unless election officials later determine that you are registered and you were at the correct polling place.

Q: What if it's just before closing time at 7 p.m. and there's a long line when I arrive at the polls? Can I still vote?

A: Yes. At 7 p.m., a poll worker will declare the polls closed and stand behind the last person in line to establish a cut-off point. Everyone in front of that poll worker at the time must be allowed to vote.

Q: Who are the people running the polls?

A: They are citizens who are working for minimal wages. They start their day at 6 a.m. and often will not go home until after 8 p.m. They have taken several hours of training to prepare them for election day. Florida's new elections law provided money for more poll worker training, including instruction in how to be more courteous and more sensitive to disabled people.