ALBANY, NY (02/24/2020) (readMedia)-- Today, ahead of the New York State Board of Elections accessibility demonstration of the ExpressVote XL, Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, Common Cause/NY and Disability Rights New York joined together to oppose the Express Vote XL -- a touch screen voting machine that poses challenges for voters with disabilities, and has been widely criticized by election security experts. Common Cause/NY also dropped off thousands of petitions from New Yorkers across the state against the machine.
The NYSBOE is currently in the final stages before it does, or does not, certify the new voting machine. ES&S, a voting machine company that makes the ExpressVote XL, has spent over $600,000 lobbying New York state officials.
"Disability and voting security experts have universally panned the ExpressVote XL -- it's time the New York State Board of Elections does too," said Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause/NY. "New Yorkers need voting machines that work for everyone, not ones that are wasteful, insecure and deeply flawed. New York State Board of Elections: reject the ExpressVote XL."
The ExpressVote XL is particularly troublesome for voters with disabilities because:
"All qualified people in New York State have a right to vote in every election. Therefore, before any voting machine is certified for use, it must be verified as accessible and secure," said Tim Clune, DRNY Executive Director.
Common Cause released a report called "The ExpressVote XL: Bad for New York's Elections." Common Cause argues New York should not purchase the ExpressVote XL because it is: