With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
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.)
Support for LAist comes from
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.
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:
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases. -
Distrito Catorce’s Guillermo Piñon says the team no longer reflects his community. A new mural will honor local leaders instead. -
The program is for customers in communities that may not be able to afford turf removal or water-saving upgrades.
Best of LAist