Features

Anyone registered to vote in Alameda County can now drop into the City Clerk Department and cast an early ballot for the March 5 election. . 

The city, using electronic touchscreen voting equipment, conducted a similar early voting program during the November 2000 election.  

“Public response from the approximately 500 voters was extremely positive,” City Clerk Sherry Kelly said in a press release. “Voters appreciated the convenience of having a choice of days to vote and commented on the ease of operation of the voting equipment.” 

The touchscreen voting equipment offers several advantages over traditional paper ballots such as large-print screen displays, ballots in a in English, Spanish and Chinese, audio and visual aids for those with sight and hearing impairments.  

“I want to encourage disabled voters to try the equipment as soon as possible,” said Scott Luebaing, who advocates accessible voting equipment. “So voters can give feedback to the city of Berkeley and the county of Alameda about the voting equipment.” 

To use the electronic touchscreen equipment, voters must have registered in Alameda County prior to Feb. 4.  

Those interested in taking advantage of the early voting program can drop by the City Clerk’s Office on the first floor of the Martin Luther King Jr. Civic Center at 2180 Milvia St. from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. For more information call (510) 981-6900. 

Contact reporter John Geluardi at johng@berkeleydailyplanet.net.