<div style="color:black;font: 10pt arial;">I tried calling The Governotrs line again today and was again transferred to the United Way representative who was answering the phones for COVID-related questions. He said he would relay my concerns about voting.
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<div>I have already been in communication with State Senator Dr. Petit (who didn't want to get involved but referred me to other people...I'm disappointed that he didn't want to help)...I tried to contact my other State Sentator (Bizzarro) - his phone number won't connect so I emailed a latter to Bizzarro and the Governor with concerns about accessible voting.
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<div>Sincerely,</div>
<div>Noreen<br>
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<div style="font-family:helvetica,arial;font-size:10pt;color:black">-----Original Message-----<br>
From: Maryanne Melley via CT-NFB <ct-nfb@nfbnet.org><br>
To: 'NFB of Connecticut Mailing List' <ct-nfb@nfbnet.org>; 'Deb Reed' <deb.reed57@gmail.com>; mdiggs2@peoplepc.com; shonda.r.rosetta@gmail.com; joesan1215@hotmail.com; philmag@optonline.net; macarney97@gmail.com; erival@comcast.net<br>
Cc: mvcmelley@gmail.com<br>
Sent: Wed, Jul 22, 2020 10:33 am<br>
Subject: [CT-NFB] Please Call<br>
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<div class="yiv4848783462MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial", sans-serif;">Did you call the Governor yesterday? If not please call today. 860-566-4840. Also Nathanael was able to speak with his local Senator yesterday. He recommended that we focus our efforts on the Assembly. There is a possibility that an amendment could be added that would include requirements for electronic ballot marking that we want. This vote is going to happen on Thursday. It is imperative that you call your assembly representatives TOMMORROW, Thursday July 23rd to encourage an addendum. Here is a script of language you can use. </span></b><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma", sans-serif;"></span></b></div>
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<div class="yiv4848783462MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial", sans-serif;">Hello, my name is (name), and I live at (home address). I am calling to express my concern as a blind voter that I do not have an accessible way to privately and independently mark my absentee ballot. This is a particular concern to me during the COVID-19 pandemic as I do not want to risk exposing myself to the coronavirus by going to my local polling place, and I do not want to give up my right to a secret ballot by having someone mark my ballot for me. There are a number of accessible electronic ballot delivery systems available that will enable me to mark my ballot privately and independently at (home, work, library) using a computer and access technology. With an accessible electronic ballot delivery system, the state will be providing me with an opportunity to vote privately and independently that is equal to the opportunity provided to voters without disabilities, as required by Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. You have time today to add language into the bill regarding this accessibility for absentee voting, and I can provide you with language passed by a state legislature in another state (Colorado) worked on by the National Federation of the Blind.</span></div>
<div class="yiv4848783462MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="yiv4848783462MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial", sans-serif;">I would be happy to meet with you to discuss this issue. I may be contacted by phone at (phone number) or by email at (email address). Thank you very much, and I look forward to hearing from you.</span></div>
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<div class="yiv4848783462MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial", sans-serif;">This so very important to all of us. As president Riccobono would say, Let’s go build the National Federation of the Blind!!</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv4848783462MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial", sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<div class="yiv4848783462MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial", sans-serif;">Best Regards,</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv4848783462MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial", sans-serif;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv4848783462MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial", sans-serif;">Maryanne Melley</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv4848783462MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial", sans-serif;">President</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv4848783462MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial", sans-serif;">National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv4848783462MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial", sans-serif;">860-212-5549</span></b></div>
<div class="yiv4848783462MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial", sans-serif;"> </span></b></div>
<div class="yiv4848783462MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-family:"Arial", sans-serif;">“Live the Life You Want”</span></b></div>
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