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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Greetings fellow Federationists:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind of New Mexico is working to have legislation passed in New Mexico which would make it possible for voters who are blind to independently mark the printed absentee ballot. Because of the good work of Representative Tomás Salazar, House Bill 98 has been introduced. This bill directs the Secretary of State to establish by rule procedures to enable blind or visually impaired voters to independently mark a paper ballot using nonvisual access or low vision access technology, whether voting in a polling place or by absentee ballot.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The time has come for us to send letters and/or emails to our state legislators asking them to vote in favor of HB98. Here are some talking points to help you with your letter:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>1. The printed absentee ballot is not accessible to voters who are blind. If a blind voter wants to vote using an absentee ballot, he or she must rely on the help of a person with sight, thus negating the secrecy of the ballot.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>2. Blind people use nonvisual and low vision access technology on a regular basis.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>3. The State of Maryland has already developed and implemented a system that blind voters are using to mark a printed ballot; they can use the access technology which they already know how to operate to independently mark the printed absentee ballot. Maryland has already given its software to the State of New Mexico.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.5in'>4. HB98 provides a process which will encourage meaningful involvement from the blind community, and it will set the State of New Mexico on a path of leadership and commitment to progress for its blind citizens. The time has come for the printed absentee ballot to be accessible to the blind of New Mexico and for the state of New Mexico to have an accessible online ballot marking tool of its own.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='text-align:justify'>If all of this sounds too complicated but you still want letters to be sent out in your name, I am offering my help to make this happen. please feel free to get in touch with me by email or by phone. My email address is <a href="curtischong@earthlink.net">curtischong@earthlink.net</a>, and my home number is 505-508-1978. All I will need is your name, your mailing address, and your permission to sign your name on a letter of support.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>With your help, we can pass HB98 and make the printed absentee ballot accessible to blind New Mexicans.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Yours sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Curtis Chong<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>