Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
Don't Want To Use The New Voting Machines? Here Are Your Options
As part of our Voter Game Plan we're answering your questions about the big changes in the way we're voting this year. And one of these many changes is the use of new voting machines (also known as "ballot marking devices").
Some of you have been asking: "If I don't want to use the machines, how can I get a traditional hand-marked ballot?"
Not everyone is comfortable with the idea of using a machine to vote. But here are a few things to keep in mind: These machines are not connected to the internet. And technically, you are still voting on paper. You feed a paper ballot into the machine and mark your choices on a touch screen. Then it spits the ballot back out for you to review and submit.
That being said, you might still have concerns about security. And you wouldn't be alone. (Read more about security precautions and concerns with the machines here and here.)
So if you still prefer to vote with ink and paper, you have options.
The easiest thing to do is to get a vote-by-mail ballot. In L.A., you have until February 25 to request one. And in Orange County, all registered voters will automatically receive one.
If you are voting in person, Orange County will by default give you a ballot that you'll be marking by hand, but you'll also have the option to use a machine to mark it.
Sponsored message
However, in L.A. County, you'll have to request a hand-marked paper ballot when you go a voting center — and it'll be a mostly blank ballot where you'll have to hand-write the offices and names of candidates you're voting for. (Tip: Bring your sample ballot if you're going to go with this option.)
Have more questions for our Voter Game Plan team? See what we've already answered, or ask us anything else below:
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
