[MN-at-Large] FW: New Accessible Voting Technology and Accessible Absentee Option!

[David Andrews]

>
>President Strunk has asked that I post the following information 
>that Judy and I were given yesterday regarding Hennepin County 
>voting on November 2.  Although many of you are not in Hennepin 
>County, you may still find some of this information useful or at 
>least of interest.
>
>Best regards,
>
>Steve Jacobson
>
>From: Nimisha Nagalia
>Sent: Friday, September 10, 2021 1:28 PM
>To: Nimisha Nagalia <nimisha.nagalia at hennepin.us>
>Subject: New Accessible Voting Technology and Accessible Absentee Option!
>
>To all community partners -
>
>Sending along some updates about accessible voting options for 
>voters with disabilities! Let me know if you have any questions.
>
>New Ballot Marking Device in Polling Places
>This year, Hennepin County polling places and early voting locations 
>will feature new assistive voting technology. The OmniBallot Tablet 
>is a ballot marking device for voters with disabilities, allowing 
>voters to mark their ballots independently and privately without 
>using a pen. The OmniBallot Tablet replaces a device that has been 
>used in polling places for 15 years and features:
>
>   *   Magnification or high-contrast background for voters with low vision
>   *   Audio reading of the ballot through headphones
>   *   Allows voters three options to mark choices:
>      *   Touchscreen
>      *   Braille keypad
>      *   3-button device
>
>
>The OmniBallot Tablet uses the same ballot as everyone else and, 
>after using it, voters will be put their ballots in the same ballot 
>counter as every voter.
>
>We need your help getting the word out!
>With this change in polling places, it is important that voters are 
>prepared, particularly voters with disabilities, though any voter 
>may use the device. Here are a couple ways you can help get the word out!
>
>
>   *   Talk to people about it! Click here to find one-page handouts 
> about the new device in 6 
> languages!<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hennepin.us%2Fresidents%2Felections%2Fvoter-outreach-and-engagement&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd8918c736c37486f6a8c08d993741856%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637702949107958114%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=y8miCGNy3OvjXJviROS8uqOIzZ6yYg9rZM99gOLO5Ug%3D&reserved=0> 
> The electronic version of these are screen reader accessible.
>   *   Share our videos! We have made two videos: a short 
> promotional 
> video<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DcnRERhaR9Uo&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd8918c736c37486f6a8c08d993741856%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637702949107968103%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=LRNQZU4s7myX4JwvOZ9rQRCqTYvKv4QzBBtT49pYPkU%3D&reserved=0> 
> and a longer how-to 
> video<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DZGL2XmDpzsw&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd8918c736c37486f6a8c08d993741856%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637702949107968103%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=7zJ8ZG1vqVPzdIz%2Fd%2BCpH21hZDsgysazkvGQng9Tpdw%3D&reserved=0> 
> to tell people about the OmniBallot.
>   *   Hennepin County is offering in-person demonstrations/practice 
> session to groups and organizations of the OmniBallot Tablet! To 
> schedule, reach out to 
> voteroutreach at hennepin.us<mailto:voteroutreach at hennepin.us>. We are 
> exploring both indoor and outdoor options with masking and social 
> distancing to keep these as safe as possible!
>
>Accessible Absentee Ballot
>
>Hennepin County will have an accessible absentee ballot available 
>for voters in this fall's election. Voters who have impaired vision 
>or difficulty physically marking a ballot can request an accessible 
>ballot at hc.vote at hennepin.us<mailto:hc.vote at hennepin.us>. This 
>ballot comes in an accessible form so the voter can use their own 
>assistive technology on their own computer to fill out the ballot. 
>They then will need to print the ballot and return it with absentee 
>materials sent via mail. Our website will have more information in 
>the coming weeks.
>
>Nimisha Nagalia | they/them/she/her*
>Voter Engagement Specialist
>Hennepin County Elections
>*why pronouns 
>matter<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.minneapolismn.gov%2Fcoordinator%2FEquity%2FTransgenderEquity%2FWCMSP-222440%23%3A~%3Atext%3DSharing%2520our%2520pronouns%2520is%2520part%2Cthem%2520or%2520hearing%2520their%2520name.&data=04%7C01%7C%7Cd8918c736c37486f6a8c08d993741856%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C637702949107978100%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C1000&sdata=OtxeP0fxfsWPeNGg5j%2FG%2BoY5CG5iyrlrxme48SVBTHY%3D&reserved=0>
>
>
>
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>please immediately notify the sender of the transmission error and 
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