[Ct-nfb] [FWD: Updated information regarding new accessible voting system option in Connecticut]
stanley torow
setorow at optonline.net
Sun Oct 16 16:05:58 UTC 2016
Jim,
is the practice system going to be where the vender's are at the
convention?
On Mon, Oct 10, 2016 at 03:06 PM, Jim McCollum via CT-NFB wrote:
> This is the new equipment for accessible voting that will be available
> at all the polling places in the state.
>
> Jim McCollum
> Legislative Co-ordinator
> National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut
> j.mccollum64 at comcast.net
> 860-581-0430
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Oct 10, 2016, at 2:39 PM, Elizabeth Greenwood via CT-NFB wrote:
>>
>> hELLO
>> tHIS DOES SOUND QUITE PROMISING. i'D LIKE TO KNOW T OWHERE ARE WE
>> GOING TO BE HAVING THIS SYSTEM IS THIS SOMETHING THAT WILL BE AT
>> LIKE MY LOCAL VOTING PLACE OR IS THIS BE A SPECIAL WAY OR NUMBER
>> THAT WE'LL HAVE T O USE T OGET DONE OR WHAT EXACTLY i'D LIKE TO KNOW
>> . aS THAT TOO CAN GET THIS ON THE NEWS PROGRAM DOWN HERE TOO.
>>
>> tHANKS SO MUCH eLIZABETH
>> ________________________________________
>> From: CT-NFB [ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] on behalf of stanley torow
>> via CT-NFB [ct-nfb at nfbnet.org]
>> Sent: Sunday, October 9, 2016 4:01 PM
>> To: NFB of Connecticut Mailing List
>> Cc: stanley torow
>> Subject: Re: [Ct-nfb] [FWD: Updated information regarding new
>> accessible voting system option in Connecticut]
>>
>> thanks Jim. so nice to meet you yesterday.
>> Eileen
>>
>>
>>
>> On Sun, Oct 09, 2016 at 10:15 AM, Jim McCollum via CT-NFB wrote:
>>
>> Hello, all. The new voting system will feature a choice between a
>> touch screen and a telephone style keypad. We're not being forced to
>> use a touch screen.
>>
>>
>> Jim McCollum
>> Legislative Co-ordinator
>> National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut
>> j.mccollum64 at comcast.net
>> 860-581-0430
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Oct 9, 2016, at 9:47 AM, bob morrissey > wrote:
>>
>> Hello All,
>>
>> As a blind voter, I have used the telephone approach to posting a
>> ballot in several recent elections at my polling place. The
>> technology allowed me to move from the Absentee Ballot approach with
>> my magnification device from home. Since use of a telephone key pad
>> is a very familiar grid, it was very smooth to go to that model of
>> voting.
>>
>> Not knowing about a tablet key pad, never having used this type of
>> approach seems daunting and potentially confusing. If we had the
>> choice of either telephone or tablet and could choose, or had the
>> opportunity to use the tablet prior to actually voting, real time,
>> then I think the comfort of all such voters would be elevated. We
>> all know that constant change is here to stay, but many of us had
>> just gotten comfortable with the telephone method of voting at the
>> polling place in the last couple of years.
>>
>> Perhaps a more gradual transition to this new tablet would be in
>> order, if that is at all possible. Personally,, I may just go back
>> to the Absentee Ballot for this one, until I am confident that I can
>> navigate the new tablet successfully.
>>
>> Good luck to all of us who use special technology to cast our votes.
>>
>> Thanks.
>>
>> Bob Morrissey
>>
>> From: CT-NFB [mailto:ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Richard
>> McGaffin via CT-NFB
>> Sent: Friday, October 07, 2016 6:36 AM
>> To: Jim McCollum; Nathanael T. Wales
>> Cc: Richard McGaffin; Sigman, Brian; CTABS List serv; NFB of
>> Connecticut Mailing List
>> Subject: Re: [Ct-nfb] [FWD: Updated information regarding new
>> accessible voting system option in Connecticut]
>>
>> Good morning all,
>>
>> I wish to echo Nathanial's comments I hope that they'll have this new
>> tablet thing at the state convention so people can at least look at
>> it, unfortunately I'll not be there, but I will bring my magnifier
>> with me when I vote, and use a paper ballet, or perhaps I won't vote
>> at all. It's unclear, my mind and time is cluttered with personal
>> issues which unfortunately are coming through with my frustrating out
>> bursts. which is why I'm staying silent for the most part.
>>
>> Be well my friends & I wish you all luck.
>>
>> Rich
>>
>> On Friday, October 7, 2016 5:14 AM, Jim McCollum > wrote:
>>
>> Hello, Nathanael, Rich, and all.
>> I have reached out to both the Secretary of State and Protection and
>> Advocacy. I am waiting to hear back from them, but I'm optimistic
>> that we can put something together. Unfortunately, I have very little
>> time to work with because we were informed about the new technology
>> so late. Brian Sigman from BESB will be at our convention. I'll keep
>> everybody informed.
>>
>>
>> Jim McCollum
>> Legislative Co-ordinator
>> National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut
>> j.mccollum64 at comcast.net
>> 860-581-0430
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Oct 6, 2016, at 11:07 PM, Nathanael T. Wales > wrote:
>> Rich – I too feel your frustration about these new voting machines.
>> With all of the time and investment that the state made in
>> investigating and purchasing them, the general announcement from the
>> director of BESB sent to our outreach office—thank you, Lucia, for
>> forwarding this out immediately to our fellow members—is the first
>> that I and at least a few key leaders in the NFB of Connecticut have
>> heard of these new machines. No one in state government, be it the
>> Secretary of State, BESB, DORS, the governor’s guy who came to one of
>> our affiliate board meetings a few months before his boss was up for
>> reelection (and I don’t intend that to be partisan; many reading this
>> are welcome to have drinks at our state convention and I’ll share my
>> evolving partisan views with you in the bar), reached out to us. Can
>> anyone on this listserve say they’ve yet tested these new machines?
>> And it’s been announced so late that no one could have come to our
>> September board meeting, which I’m sure we would have found time in
>> or extended so we could look at these early instead of the weekend
>> before the election (and I think it’s a nonpartisan view that it’ll
>> be a very big one at that). I know that Jim McCollum, the convention
>> chair and legislative chair, has been trying to get someone to come
>> to our state convention to talk about these new machines, let our
>> members use them hands-on probably for the first time, and answer
>> questions about how they’ve reached out to the elections officials in
>> every town (it’s been at best very hit or miss for the past 8 years
>> in many towns); as of this evening I don’t know that he’s gotten a
>> response; I mean, I’m sure that the Secretary of State and all of her
>> staff have nothing better to do the weekend before this election than
>> reach out to historically disenfranchised and disilluisioned voters
>> who they’ve again disenfranchised. Maybe they can stop by on their
>> way back from checking in on the number of ballots printed in
>> Bridgeport for the following Tuesday…All that said, I think there is
>> still an opportunity to let the state start to do the right thing and
>> we should give them a chance, though their time is running out and
>> it’s not just you that’s extremely skeptical.
>>
>> Jim – Thank you for working so hard to get someone from the Secretary
>> of State to come to our convention; it’s a critical item. And it’s
>> good outreach to blind people locally who may just come to the
>> convention to check out the machines in person, voice their opinions
>> to state officials, etc. I’d certainly be interested to learn on
>> this listserve what responses you get, and I’d urge you to keep state
>> officials’ feet to the fire on this issue. Let us know how we can
>> help. You are correct, of course: “If this works as intended, it
>> will not take any rights away from anyone.” The key caveat is if it
>> works as intended; with what I’ve seen so far, like with the ability
>> to practice now with the machine over the phone, I’m very skeptical
>> that it will, and I’d be pleased to be proved wrong. Please keep up
>> your excellent work!
>>
>> I will say, though, that if these machines do work as intended there
>> is one item of privacy that I do like. With the old vote-by-phone
>> ballots they were placed in a different slot in the ballot box and
>> tabulated separately; if you were the only voter in the precinct who
>> used the vote-by-phone your ballot would be the only one of its kind
>> therefore the elections officials would know who you voted for. With
>> these new machines the ballots they produce are tabulated just the
>> same as the hand-marked ballots that 99.99% of voters will probably
>> use and your ballot will just be mixed in with them and not really
>> stand out.
>>
>> Best to everyone,
>> Nathanael T. Wales
>>
>>
>> From: Ct-nfb [mailto:ct-nfb-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jim
>> McCollum via Ct-nfb
>> Sent: Thursday, October 06, 2016 7:33 AM
>> To: Richard McGaffin; NFB of Connecticut Mailing List
>> Cc: Jim McCollum; CTABS List serv
>> Subject: Re: [Ct-nfb] [FWD: Updated information regarding new
>> accessible voting system option in Connecticut]
>>
>> Hello, Rich and all.
>> The touch screen is not the only option. You have a choice between a
>> touch screen and a keypad. Also, voters will be provided with
>> headphones. If this works as intended, it will not take any rights
>> away from anyone.
>> Have a nice day.
>>
>>
>> Jim McCollum
>> Legislative Co-ordinator
>> National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut
>> j.mccollum64 at comcast.net
>> 860-581-0430
>> Sent from my iPhone
>>
>> On Oct 6, 2016, at 7:13 AM, Richard McGaffin via Ct-nfb > wrote:
>> Good morning all,
>>
>> This tablet thing is a joke. I use an amazon fire tablet with voice
>> accessibility which freezes constantly by switching to a tablet, I
>> believe they've taken the vote from the blind, so I want to thank
>> those who've taken this away from me and all other blind voters. I
>> also hope you realize that by using voice activation you're taking
>> away our privacy unless the polling places will also be providing
>> head phones. This is the stupidest idea I've heard of in quite some
>> time.
>>
>> I now know I'll be staying home and not voting this year.
>>
>> Rich
>>
>> On Wednesday, October 5, 2016 1:40 PM, Lucia Lee via Ct-nfb > wrote:
>>
>>
>> -------- Original Message --------
>> Subject: Updated information regarding new accessible voting system
>> option in Connecticut
>> From: "Sigman, Brian" Good afternoon,
>> Last week I forwarded a communication regarding the new accessible
>> voting system option in Connecticut that will be in place for the
>> November election. Subsequent to forwarding that information it was
>> discovered that the access code provided for testing the new system
>> was not functioning. Below is an updated message from Elanah Sherman
>> at the Office of Protection and Advocacy. When a corrected access
>> phone number and testing code become available, I will pass that
>> along as well. We are sorry for any confusion that the prior
>> notification has caused. Please pass along this new information to
>> anyone whom you may have forwarded the prior message to. Thank you.
>>
>> May I use the voting system of my choice?
>> Yes. Connecticut offers two methods of voting at the polling place.
>> One way is via the manual ballot; the other method, new in 2016, is
>> via a tablet with optional voice output and keypad. Anyone, with or
>> without a disability, may vote by either method – it’s up to you!
>> How does the manual ballot system work?
>> Each voter is given a paper ballot with the names of candidates (and,
>> sometimes, referendum questions), along with a marker for filling in
>> the circles next to your choices. Once you complete the ballot, you
>> deposit it into the optical scan tabulator, which counts the votes.
>> How do I use the tablet ballot marking system?
>> The tablet system is a ballot-marking device that replaces the old
>> phone/fax technology. The new technology includes a tablet and a
>> keypad with head phones. You may vote using the touch screen on the
>> tablet, or by using the connected audio system on the keypad. The
>> audio system, which includes head phones, works by a series of cues
>> requiring you to push different buttons on the keypad to make your
>> choices. (The audio process is very similar to that provided on the
>> old system.) Both the touch screen and the audio provide you with the
>> opportunity to review and revise your choices. After you are done
>> voting (by either touch screen or keypad), a printer produces a paper
>> ballot that reflects your choices. The voter then feeds the ballot
>> through the same tabulator that counts the ballots that were manually
>> completed.
>> The audio component may be preferable for people with visual
>> disabilities; people who prefer audio cues, including individuals who
>> have difficulty reading; and people with learning disabilities.
>> What are the main differences between the new system and the old
>> system?
>> • The new system is tablet-based, rather than based on a phone
>> line.
>> • The new system offers two options, touch screen and audio,
>> rather than just audio.
>> • The new audio component uses head phones (with disposable
>> sanitized covers) rather than a receiver.
>> • The new system includes a key pad with standard-sized keys,
>> rather than the over-size keys that were on the old phone.
>> Is there a way to practice using the audio technology from home
>> before Election Day?
>> The audio component will be available for practice on the
>> manufacturer’s demonstration phone number soon. As soon as P&A
>> receives the correct number, we will distribute it widely.
>> May I vote from home using the tablet system?
>> No. The tablet system will only be available at your polling place.
>>
>>
>>
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