I-VAMOS: Independent Voting with Accessible Multimodal Offline System for Visually Impaired Users

Abstract

Independent and secret voting is a constitutional right, yet blind and low-vision voters (BLVs) continue to face barriers when casting their votes. Existing methods such as tactile templates often require braille literacy or assistance, while electronic ballot-marking devices raise cost and security concerns. We present I-VAMOS, a voting assistance system that enables BLVs to cast paper ballots securely and independently. Based on participatory sessions with BLVs, IVAMOS integrates a ballot slide frame, a spring-loaded stamp, and real-time OCR-based speech and visual feedback, operating offline without the need for customized templates. With the improved I-VAMOS, we conducted a user study (n=16), balanced across vision status, braille literacy, and age. Results showed that I-VAMOS significantly reduced workload (NASA-TLX; 26.1) and improved stamping accuracy (91.7%) and usability (SUS; 79.1) compared to existing aids, though took longer completion times (29.6s). These findings emphasize that I-VAMOS enables independent and confidential voting for BLVs.