Elections Canada is seeking a skilled firm capable of designing a phone application that will enable blind and visually impaired voters to independently verify the mark on their ballot.
The tender released by Elections Canada specifies the need for a mobile application that allows visually impaired and blind electors to verify their own ballot.
Nathalie de Montigny, a spokesperson for Elections Canada, states, “At this time, the independent verification of a marked ballot remains a barrier for people who are blind and partially sighted.”
This initiative is part of Elections Canada’s “Accessibility Plan” launched earlier this year. The aim is to eliminate voting barriers for all Canadians by 2040, with plans to test the proposed technology in 2024.
Existing options are available for blind and visually impaired voters, including large print and braille candidate lists, tactile and braille voting templates, magnifiers, and modified voting screens. In addition, voters can bring a support person to assist them in casting their vote.
According to de Montigny, “To protect the secrecy of the vote, the person is asked to make a solemn declaration before the elector marks their ballot. Additionally, an election worker can also assist in marking the ballot. A second election worker is always present to act as witness.”
The question remains as to whether the proposed app will be ready for the next federal election. The NDP has agreed to support the Liberal government in confidence votes until the scheduled election in fall 2025. However, with a minority government, an election could be called earlier.
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