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A bill was introduced last week in the state legislature which would provide a way for blind and other disabled voters to submit ballots electronically during elections. It is SB 6035. This would mean we could vote privately and independently from home with the same convenience as most voters have now. It would also allow this option for military and overseas voters, as well as members of tribes living on reservations. It would not take away any of the voting options currently available. It would add another option.
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This bill was introduced in the state Senate so it needs to pass there and then it would go to the House and need to pass there. Then Governor Ferguson would sign it and it would become law.
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SB 6035 Is a bill to ensure access to voting services for military, overseas, Native American, and disabled voters. It has several sections. Some are related to increasing voting access on tribal lands. We definitely support that but the part that most relates to us is Section 3.
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This is a short legislative session lasting only through March so things move very fast. SB 6035 already has a hearing scheduled for this Tuesday, January 20 at 1:30 PM in the Senate Committee on State Government, Tribal Affairs and Elections.
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Below is a link to the bill page. On that page you can find a link to the bill language and also links to sign on in support of the bill, to testify virtually for the hearing this Tuesday at 1:30 PM, or to provide written testimony for the Senate Committee. Written or virtual testimony doesn\u2019t need to be complicated. The best testimony is your story of how this bill would help you or people you know to vote more easily..
</div> <a href="https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=6035&Year=2025&Initiative=false">https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary/?BillNumber=6035&Year=2025&Initiative=false</a>
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SB 6035 has a lot of language about making sure that electronic ballot return is secure. We support those parts. We want our ballots to be secure. At least 13 other states have electronic ballot return for disabled voters and none have had any security problems.
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Not sure who your 2 representatives and 1 Senator are? You can call the Washington state Legislative Hotline at <a href="tel:800-562-6000">800-562-6000</a> and they can help with that.
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Stay tuned for more legislative action updates, including our legislative action day this Friday and a planning meeting for that tomorrow night.
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Suzi Prows
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NFBW Legislative Coordinator
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Marci Carpenter
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NFBW President.
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