AUGUST 8, 2006

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today announced that the 1.26 million residents participating in Tuesday’s primary made election history as the first Michigan voters to cast ballots statewide using optical-scan and AutoMARK voting equipment.

The turnout results, which represent about 18 percent of registered voters, are based on unofficial returns.

"To those who participated in the primary, I say ‘thank you,’" said Land, Michigan’s chief election officer. "Voting is essential to our democracy. When you vote, you make your voice heard."

Land added that the voter turnout rate was not unusual for a primary. Areas that had competitive races and key ballot initiatives or millages experienced higher turnouts.

Election administrators monitored Tuesday’s election carefully as the first statewide test of the optical-scan and AutoMARK voting systems. Land called the results impressive and congratulated local election officials for their diligence.

"The hard work and commitment of our local election administrators is the reason that everything went well," Land said. "Conducting an election is always a demanding task. But, this primary really pushed the envelope because two new voting systems were put to the test across Michigan. I congratulate all election workers on a job well done."

Voters at the state’s more than 5,200 precincts colored in ovals or connected arrows as they cast ballots using optical-scan technology. The move to optical-scan provided several benefits to the electorate. It is a uniform voting system that allows voters to review their choices before they are cast and notifies them when errors are made, eliminating spoiled ballots. It also provides a voter-verified paper trail, which can be inspected after the election if a recount is requested.

For the first time in Michigan history, voters with disabilities could vote at the polls without assistance and in private thanks to new ballot-marking equipment. The AutoMARK equipment acts like an electronic pen for voters with disabilities and was in place at more than 4,200 polling places. Ballots were cast with the help of a Braille keypad, foot pedal, magnification and contrast features on the screen, headphones with an audio function and a wand or personal sip/puff tube. Completed ballots were scanned and stored with all other ballots.

"The machine is self-explanatory," said Bob Karvinen, an Alger County resident. "I can use it visually and with headphones. It was a positive voting experience. Everyone was very helpful and knowledgeable."

One of the greatest benefits of the AutoMARK system is the freedom it provides to voters with disabilities in the voting booth. The machine’s adaptability allows them to cast their ballot independently and without assistance.

"As an individual who uses a wheelchair, I could have marked the ballot by hand, but since I forgot my reading glasses, I needed the AutoMARK to vote without assistance," said Mike Zelly, president and chief executive officer of The Disability Network, who voted in Grand Blanc. "The process went without a hitch. This once again illustrates that the AutoMARK can be used by a variety of individuals who may not have ‘traditional’ disability characteristics."

Unofficial primary results are available at www.Michigan.gov/sos.

Land also reminded residents to visit the online Michigan Voter Information Center, a single, comprehensive source designed for voter convenience at www.michigan.gov/vote. The site contains information on polling locations, optical-scan voting, voter registration and candidates.