[MD-Sligo] Time-sensitive: Blind New Yorkers Achieve Access to Absentee Voting

Sat Jun 6 21:29:29 UTC 2020

wellin. whin will talking voiteingvoteing balleds will b out

On 6/5/20, National Federation of the Blind via MD-Sligo
<md-sligo at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
>
>  		 [1]
>
> BLIND NEW YORKERS ACHIEVE ACCESS TO ABSENTEE VOTING
>
> _STATE AGREES TO IMPLEMENT INTERIM SYSTEM ALLOWING THE BLIND TO CAST
> ABSENTEE AND MAIL-IN BALLOTS PRIVATELY AND INDEPENDENTLY FOR JUNE 23
> ELECTION_
>
> A federal district judge has approved an agreement requiring the New York
> State Board of Elections (NYSBOE) to instruct local election boards to
> provide accessible absentee ballots to blind voters for the June 23, 2020
> primary election. The ruling resolves a request for a preliminary
> injunction in a lawsuit [2] filed by the National Federation of the Blind
> of New York and a coalition, including: Disability Rights New York;
> American Council of the Blind--New York, Inc.; Center for Independence of
> the Disabled, New York; Disability Rights Advocates; and several New York
> voters with disabilities. Read the full official press release [3] on our
> website.
>
> Blind voters will be able to request an accessible electronic absentee
> ballot through a page on the NYSBOE website [4] or through their local
> county board of elections. They must do so by June 16, 2020. The National
> Federation of the Blind of New York is also asking blind voters to provide
> feedback on the accessible absentee voting process. They can complete a
> survey by calling 716-222-3NFB (716-222-3632) or visiting www.nfbny.org
> [5].
>
> The court's order is the third in a recent string of successes for the
> National Federation of the Blind to protect the rights of blind voters as
> states shift to absentee and mail-in ballots because of the coronavirus
> pandemic. Battles for accessible absentee voting in primary elections have
> also been won in Michigan [6] and Pennsylvania [7].
>
> "We are pleased that an agreement has been reached swiftly regarding the
> June 23 primary," said Mike Robinson, president of the National Federation
> of the Blind of New York. "We hope to work productively with NYSBOE to
> identify a more permanent solution and that other jurisdictions across the
> country will take note of our efforts in the empire state."
>
> The lawsuit, which will continue in order to resolve the question of
> accessible absentee and mail-in ballot solutions for elections later this
> year, alleges violations of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act
> (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. The National
> Federation of the Blind of New York is represented by Eve Hill [8] of Brown
> Goldstein Levy LLP [9].
>
> ###
>
> ABOUT THE NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
>
> The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is
> the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded
> in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the
> fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of
> blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families
> with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We
> believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to
> transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and
> initiatives at www.nfb.org [10].
>
> CONTACT:
>
> Chris Danielsen
>  Director of Public Relations
>  National Federation of the Blind
>  (410) 659-9314, extension 2330
>  (410) 262-1281 (Cell)
>  cdanielsen at nfb.org
>
>  		 [11]
>  		 [12]
>  		 [13]
>  		 [14]
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>  		 [15]
>
>  		 National Federation of the Blind | 200 E Wells Street | Baltimore, MD
> 21230 | 410-659-9314
>
>  		 Unsubscribe [16] | Opt Out [17] | Sign Up for Our E-newsletter [18]
>
>  		 ..
>
>
>
> Links:
> ------
> [1]
> https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=17233&qid=3746013
> [2]
> https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=17197&qid=3746013
> [3]
> https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=17232&qid=3746013
> [4]
> https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=17199&qid=3746013
> [5]
> https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=17200&qid=3746013
> [6]
> https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=17201&qid=3746013
> [7]
> https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=17202&qid=3746013
> [8]
> https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=17203&qid=3746013
> [9]
> https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=17204&qid=3746013
> [10]
> https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=17205&qid=3746013
> [11]
> https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=17207&qid=3746013
> [12]
> https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=17208&qid=3746013
> [13]
> https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=17209&qid=3746013
> [14]
> https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=17210&qid=3746013
> [15]
> https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=17212&qid=3746013
> [16]
> https://www.nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/unsubscribe?reset=1&jid=14276&qid=3746013&h=2292bf643e5563ea
> [17]
> https://www.nfb.org/civicrm/mailing/optout?reset=1&jid=14276&qid=3746013&h=2292bf643e5563ea
> [18]
> https://www.nfb.org/libraries/civicrm/extern/url.php?u=17213&qid=3746013
>