For possibly the first time in his life, Bob Brown will be able to cast a truly private ballot in the upcoming municipal election.
Brown was in a car accident when he was 18, and now uses a wheelchair and has limited use of his hands.
He is now in his 50s, and for most of his life, he has needed someone to go around the voter’s screen to mark the ballot for him.
This year, Ottawa voters who require help can access a voter assist terminal, which will allow them to mark their ballots on their own.
Penny Leclair, who is blind and deaf, will be able hook the machine up to her cochlear implant so she will be able to hear that she is making her vote correctly.
“An independent vote is something other people have,” she said.
“We’ve never really had complete independence until this machine, so it’s exciting.”
