Voatz is working to reinforce the democratic process by providing access to key groups who have otherwise faced challenges in voting. Currently, our focus is on helping those in the overseas services, military, and people with disabilities.
For overseas servicemen and women, as well as military personnel, Voatz is helping to address the significant security issues associated with current remote voting options. Email, fax, and postal paper ballots are not sufficiently secure and, in some cases, are often lost, or require the voter to waive their right to an anonymous ballot. Furthermore, according to the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP), of the 3 million eligible voters in this group, only 7% vote. This constitutes one of the most disenfranchised demographics. According to FVAP, this low rate is largely due to logistical barriers. Voatz is working to close the gap and lessen the challenges these voters face, especially as compared to their counterparts at home.
For many voters with disabilities, casting ballots on their smartphones ensures they can participate in elections. These voters face obstacles at nearly every point of the voting process, including limited transport to polling sites, limited access to voting machines and on-site assistance, and difficulty physically navigating polling sites. Previous efforts to assist this group have largely failed to address these challenges, and as such, they routinely show up to vote at much lower rates than the general public. Voatz incorporates the native accessibility features of smartphones to the fullest extent possible to counteract some of these barriers to entry, and to increase the number of people with disabilities who can comfortably and fully participate in elections.
Voatz’s goal is to provide everyone who can vote with the opportunity to do so in an accessible, secure, and accountable way. Whether this means increasing voter turnout in local elections or creating an opportunity for experienced voters to participate in an easier fashion, Voatz believes that maintaining the right to vote is essential to upholding the viability of our elections.
For a more detailed look at who Voatz can help, read stories from a volunteer in West Africa, a military paratrooper voter, a student in China, and a disabled voter in Utah.