Oregon uses iPads to help disabled voters mark ballots

(CBS/AP) - Oregon was first in the nation to have all residents vote by mail. Now officials in the state are thinking about coming through with another vanguard idea - voting by iPad.

Voters in five counties are filling out and returning mail-in ballots for a special primary election to today. And a handful of those voters will be using their iPads to vote.

The election will come up with a replacement for former U.S. Rep. David Wu, who resigned following a sex scandal. Armed with iPads and portable printers, county election workers are going to parks, nursing homes, community centers and anywhere else they might find groups of voters who have trouble filling out traditional paper ballots.

Disabled voters can call up the proper ballot and tap the screen to pick a candidate.

The voters then print the completed ballot and stuff it in an envelope to sign, take with them and drop in the mail - or into an official ballot box.