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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><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'><o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Tahoma",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><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><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'> </span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><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.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><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!!<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Best Regards,<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>Maryanne Melley<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>President<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>860-212-5549<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-family:"Arial",sans-serif'>“Live the Life You Want”<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>