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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The National Federation of the Blind Affiliate Voter Liaison Toolkit<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Introduction<o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>As a result of the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), the opportunity to cast a private and independent ballot now exists for blind and visually impaired voters in all federal elections. However, untrained poll workers, voting machine malfunctions, and the lack of accessible voting machines in the polling places are preventing some blind and visually impaired voters from fully exercising this right. The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Affiliate Voter Liaison program was created by the NFB to provide our members with tools and resources they can use in working with state and local elections officials to remove the barriers that make elections inaccessible to blind and visually impaired voters. This program was developed under a HAVA training/technical assistance grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Community Living.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Why Work with Elections Officials?<o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>State and local elections officials are generally responsible for the training of poll workers, for the selection of accessible voting machines, and for ensuring that polling places are in compliance with federal and state election law. Developing a relationship with elections officials will result in opportunities for affiliate voting liaisons to provide guidance on the needs of blind and visually impaired voters with regard to the training of poll workers and the selection of accessible voting machines and polling places. Working with elections officials in this capacity can help to remove barriers that have prevented some blind and visually impaired voters from casting a private and independent ballot. Finally, when problems do occur on election day, an established relationship with elections officials may be beneficial in getting a quick resolution.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>How to Work with Elections Officials<o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>There are many ways in which affiliate voting liaisons can work with elections officials as an interested citizen. Depending on the level of commitment you are able to make and the type of programs and services offered by your state and/or local boards of elections, you may be able to work with elections officials in the following ways:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Serving as a poll worker;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Assisting with the training of poll workers on how to interact with blind voters and how to operate the accessible voting machine;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Inviting local elections officials to a chapter meeting to demonstrate the accessible voting machine and answer questions about the elections process;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Inviting state elections officials to your affiliate convention to discuss elections issues that impact blind voters;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Providing testimony on elections and voting-related legislation;<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Attending public meetings of state and local boards of elections; and<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l7 level1 lfo1'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Serving on an advisory committee.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>An Overview of Federal and State Election Law<o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Current federal law allows for voters with disabilities to receive assistance when voting either from a person of their choosing or from an accessible voting machine. Following are brief summaries of these laws and how they are enforced:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Voting Rights Act of 1965<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>42 U.S.C. §1973aa-6<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l2 level1 lfo2'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Any voter who requires assistance to vote by reason of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write may be given assistance by a person of the voter's choice, except:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>the voter's employer or an agent of the voter's employer<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo3'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>officer or agent of the voter's union.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Law is unclear as to whether there is a private right of action under the Voting Rights Act for failing to allow assistance or intimidating those who use assistance. Enforcement is by the U.S. Attorney General.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>42 U.S.C. §1973ee, et. seq.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Requires polling places to be physically accessible for federal elections (except if "emergency" or where "all potential polling places have been surveyed and no such accessible place is available, nor is the political subdivision able to make one temporarily accessible, in the area involved.")<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Requires states to make registration and voting aids available for voters with disabilities and elderly voters.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l10 level1 lfo5'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Braille or large print instructions at each registration facility and polling place<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l10 level1 lfo5'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Telecommunications devices for the deaf<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l10 level1 lfo5'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>3)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>No medical certification required to obtain absentee ballot unless the request is for a ballot on a continuing basis, or the deadline to request the ballot has passed<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>If polling place is inaccessible, the voter must:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l8 level1 lfo6'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>be assigned to an accessible polling place, or<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l8 level1 lfo6'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>have an alternative means of casting a ballot (alternative ballot, absentee voting by mail, curbside voting).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>An individual who has been personally aggrieved has a private cause of action. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990--Title II<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>42 U.S.C. § 12101 et. seq.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Prohibits state and local governments from discriminating against a person with a disability by excluding them from participation in or denying the benefits of services, programs, or activities of a public entity.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Requires reasonable accommodations and access to programs in the most integrated setting appropriate.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l3 level1 lfo4'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>An individual who has been personally aggrieved has a private cause of action.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Help America Vote Act of 2002<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo7'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>42 U.S.C. § 15301 et. seq.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l4 level1 lfo7'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Applies only to federal elections<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo8'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Requires each polling site have at least one accessible voting system.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l6 level1 lfo8'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Requires that people be able to vote both privately and independently.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l9 level1 lfo9'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Does not provide a private cause of action<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l5 level1 lfo10'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>1)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Establishes an administrative procedure for filing a complaint with the state's chief election officer.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style='margin-left:.75in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l5 level1 lfo10'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>2)<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The complaint must be in writing, signed and sworn by the person making the complaint, and must be notarized.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>State Voting Law<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l9 level1 lfo9'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Varies state by state. Not all states require that each polling place have at least one accessible voting machine for state and local elections.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l9 level1 lfo9'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Check your state board of elections' Web site or secretary of state's Web site for state law related to voting.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>What to Do When Barriers to Voting are Experienced<o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The goal of the affiliate voting liaison program is to provide voting liaisons with information they can use to establish relationships with elections officials that will help to remove barriers that prevent blind and visually impaired voters from exercising their right to vote as guaranteed by federal and state law. However, when a blind or visually impaired voter is unable to cast a private and independent ballot on an accessible voting machine during a federal election or is denied the assistance of the person of their choosing in violation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the following steps can be taken:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo11'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The voter should complain to everyone from the poll judge to local and state elections officials, as well as the state protection and advocacy agency (see Appendix A) to try to get the problem resolved before the polls close.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo11'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>The voter should contact the Election Protection Coalition, 1-866-OUR-VOTE, to report denials of assistance or inability to cast a private and independent vote on an accessible voting machine during a federal election, or state or local election if an accessible machine is required by state law.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoListParagraphCxSpLast style='text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo11'><![if !supportLists]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:Symbol'><span style='mso-list:Ignore'>·<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'> </span></span></span><![endif]><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>If the problems are not resolved, the voter should contact their state protection and advocacy agency for assistance in filing a complaint. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><u><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>A Right Too Precious to Lose<o:p></o:p></span></u></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Most Americans take the right to cast a private and independent vote for granted. However, blind and visually impaired Americans were not able to exercise this right until the passage of the Help America Vote Act in 2002. In spite of HAVA, barriers still exist and some blind and visually impaired voters are not able to cast a private and independent ballot. By using the tools and resources provided in the <i>National Federation of the Blind Affiliate Voting Liaison Toolkit</i> and through working with state and local elections officials, blind and visually impaired Americans can have a positive influence in removing these remaining barriers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>