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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72"><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal>Fellow Federationists,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We have some work to do on SB0929, our bill on establishing a work group on accessible absentee ballot return options for voters with disabilities. The Senate passed the bill on Monday and moved it over to the House. The hearing on SB0929 before the House Ways and Means Committee is this Tuesday, March 25, 2025. This is sponsor only oral testimony. You can listen to the live stream at 1PM via the House Ways and Means live stream.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Thanks to your advocacy, we were able to get our bill – with some minor amendments passed by the full Senate on March 14. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Now we need you to contact your elected representatives in the House Ways and Means Committee to urge them to vote favorable on SB0929. If you can only send a few emails, please focus on your county’s representatives and the Chair and Vice Chair of the Committee – particularly the Vice Chair in this case, because she is the Committee’s Elections subject matter expert. But if you have time, please call or write to everyone on the committee. Remember to also thank our sponsor, Delegate Jessica Feldmark.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We need you to ask Chair Atterbeary and Vice Chair Wilkins to schedule a vote on the bill and to support it. We also need you to ask the other members of the committee to encourage the chair and vice chair to schedule a vote and vote favorable. Finally, we need you to contact Speaker Adrienne Jones to ask her office to ensure that a vote is scheduled and to support the bill.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Please don’t forget to copy <a href="mailto:Annapolis@nfbmd.org">Annapolis@nfbmd.org</a> on your emails and send an email to <a href="mailto:Annapolis@nfbmd.org">Annapolis@nfbmd.org</a> if you call the offices.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For Speaker Jones – <a href="mailto:Adrienne.Jones@house.state.md.us">Adrienne.Jones@house.state.md.us</a> – 410-841-3800 – you can something like:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dear Speaker Jones,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am a blind Maryland voter, and I’m asking you to ensure that the House Ways and Means Committee schedules a vote on SB 0929. This bill is important to me because I am a blind voter who cannot return an absentee paper ballot independently nor privately. Voters with disabilities should have the same voting options as those without disabilities, but Maryland’s current system discriminates against voters with print disabilities including blindness. This bill establishes a work group consisting of disability advocates and experts in a variety of fields including election security, cyber security, and accessibility, who will come together to study options for alternatives to paper ballot return and make recommendations as to which of those alternatives could solve the problem of inaccessibility while ensuring security and election integrity. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We understand that you may believe that curbside voting is an acceptable alternative to solve our problem – it is not. While curbside voting may assist individuals with certain disabilities to access in-person voting, it would not help those of us who – due to our disabilities – cannot drive ourselves. Adding another method for those with physical (not sensory) disabilities to vote in person does not solve the problem of those of us with print disabilities such as blindness that can’t vote privately or independently using the absentee voting return method, and we should have access to all methods of voting that people without disabilities have. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Separate is not equal – and having to give up privacy and independence due to disability whereas these rights are preserved for those without disabilities – is the exact definition of discrimination.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We cannot simply be expected to wait until technology “catches up” to solve this problem, particularly since there could be other ways to solve the problem besides internet-based ballot return. We deserve the ability to vote privately and independently like all other Marylanders, and we need your help to ensure we take steps towards finding ways to make that happen for our community. This bill does that. Please support this bill and ensure that the Committee schedules a vote on it this session.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>[Your name]<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For Chair Vanessa Atterbeary – <a href="mailto:Vanessa.Atterbeary@house.state.md.us">Vanessa.Atterbeary@house.state.md.us</a> – 410-841-3471 – and Vice Chair Jheanelle Wilkins – <a href="mailto:Jheanelle.Wilkins@house.state.md.us">Jheanelle.Wilkins@house.state.md.us</a> – 410-841-3493 – please say something like:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dear [Chair Atterbeary or Vice Chair Wilkins],<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am a blind Maryland voter, and I’m asking the House Ways and Means Committee to schedule a vote on SB 0929. This bill is important to me because I am a blind voter who cannot return an absentee paper ballot independently nor privately. Voters with disabilities should have the same voting options as those without disabilities, but Maryland’s current system discriminates against voters with print disabilities including blindness. This bill establishes a work group consisting of disability advocates and experts in a variety of fields including election security, cyber security, and accessibility, who will come together to study options for alternatives to paper ballot return and make recommendations as to which of those alternatives could solve the problem of inaccessibility while ensuring security and election integrity. We cannot simply be expected to wait until technology “catches up” to solve this problem, particularly since there could be other ways to solve the problem besides internet-based ballot return. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>We understand that you believe that curbside voting is an acceptable alternative to solve our problem – it is not. While curbside voting may assist individuals with certain disabilities to access in-person voting, it would not help those of us who – due to our disabilities – cannot drive ourselves. Adding another method for those with physical (not sensory) disabilities to vote in person does not solve the problem of those of us with print disabilities such as blindness that can’t vote privately or independently using the absentee voting return method, and we should have access to all methods of voting that people without disabilities have. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Separate is not equal – and having to give up privacy and independence due to disability whereas these rights are preserved for those without disabilities – is the exact definition of discrimination. We deserve the ability to vote privately and independently like all other Marylanders, and we need your help to ensure we take steps towards finding ways to make that happen for our community. This bill does that. Please support this bill and ensure that the Committee schedules a vote on it this session.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>[Your name]<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>For the other committee members, you can say something like:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Dear Delegate [Name],<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>I am a blind Maryland voter, and I’m asking you to encourage the House Ways and Means Committee leadership to schedule a vote on SB 0929. This bill is important to me because I am a blind voter who cannot return an absentee paper ballot independently nor privately. Voters with disabilities should have the same voting options as those without disabilities, but Maryland’s current system discriminates against voters with print disabilities including blindness. This bill establishes a work group consisting of disability advocates and experts in a variety of fields including election security, cyber security, and accessibility, who will come together to study options for alternatives to paper ballot return and make recommendations as to which of those alternatives could solve the problem of inaccessibility while ensuring security and election integrity. We cannot simply be expected to wait until technology “catches up” to solve this problem, particularly since there could be other ways to solve the problem besides internet-based ballot return. Separate is not equal – and having to give up privacy and independence due to disability whereas these rights are preserved for those without disabilities – is the exact definition of discrimination. We deserve the ability to vote privately and independently like all other Marylanders, and we need your help to ensure we take steps towards finding ways to make that happen for our community. This bill does that. Please support this bill and encourage Committee leadership to schedules a vote on it this session.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Sincerely,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>[Your name]<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here’s how you contact the members:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Email: firstname.lastname@house.state.md.us<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'>Phone: 410-841-[last four listed below]<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Here are the members of the House Ways and Means Committee in addition to the Chair and Vice Chair above.<o:p></o:p></p><ol style='margin-top:0in' start=1 type=1><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Jason Buckel – 3404 – Allegany <o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Eric Ebersole – 3328 – Baltimore County<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Kris Fair – 3472 – Frederick<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Jessica Feldmark – 3205 – Howard – Lead Sponsor<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Mike Griffith – 3444 – Cecil and Harford<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Wayne Hartman – 3356 – Wicomico and Worcester<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Kevin Hornberger – 3284 – Cecil<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Robert Long – 3458 – Baltimore County<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>April Miller – 3288 – Frederick<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Bernice Mireku-North – 3539 – Montgomery<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Julie Palakovich-Carr – 3037 – Montgomery<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Edith Patterson – 3247 – Charles<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Kent Roberson – 3557 – Prince Georges<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Denise Roberts – 3707 – Prince Georges<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Joe Vogel – 3103 – Montgomery<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Melissa Wells – 3545 – Baltimore City<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Greg Wims – 3039 – Montgomery<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Chao Wu – 3556 – Howard & Montgomery<o:p></o:p></li><li class=MsoListParagraph style='margin-left:0in;mso-list:l1 level1 lfo2'>Kaylin Young – 3429 – Baltimore City<o:p></o:p></li></ol><p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.25in'><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='color:#1F497D'>Ronza Othman, </span></b><span style='color:#1F497D'>President<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>443-426-4110<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1F497D'>Pronouns: she, her, hers</span><o:p></o:p></p></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #E1E1E1 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'><p class=MsoNormal><b>From:</b> Maryland President <president@nfbmd.org> <br><b>Sent:</b> Wednesday, March 12, 2025 12:55 AM<br><b>To:</b> 'nfb-maryland@nfbnet.org' <nfb-maryland@nfbnet.org>; 'nfb-maryland@nfbnet.org' <nfb-maryland@nfbnet.org>; 'nfbmd@nfbnet.org' <nfbmd@nfbnet.org>; 'greater-baltimore@nfbnet.org' <greater-baltimore@nfbnet.org>; 'nfbmdtlc-chapter@nfbnet.org' <nfbmdtlc-chapter@nfbnet.org>; 'central-md-chapter@nfbnet.org' <central-md-chapter@nfbnet.org>; 'md-atlarge@nfbnet.org' <md-atlarge@nfbnet.org>; 'md-sligo@nfbnet.org' <md-sligo@nfbnet.org>; 'nationalharbor@nfbnet.org' <nationalharbor@nfbnet.org>; 'mabm@nfbnet.org' <mabm@nfbnet.org>; 'mdabs@nfbnet.org' <mdabs@nfbnet.org>; 'mdpobc@nfbnet.org' <mdpobc@nfbnet.org>; 'NFB of Maryland, Baltimore County List' <md-baltimore-county@nfbnet.org><br><b>Subject:</b> URGENT: Legislative Alert - SB0929 - Voting Bill<o:p></o:p></p></div></div><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Colleagues,<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>SB 0929, our Voting Work Group on Accessible Absentee Ballot Return – had a very contentious voting session last week, and it made it out of Committee with a vote of 6 yays, 4 nays, and 1 abstain. It came before the full Senate today on second reader, but Senator Kagan requested it be held an additional day before the Senate vote on it on second reader. We’re told she wants to amend the bill, but she hasn’t shared what she wants to do to it. You can email <a href="mailto:Cheryl.Kagan@senate.state.md.us">Cheryl.Kagan@senate.state.md.us</a> before 10AM on Wednesday (March 12) to ask her to support the bill and leave it alone as is. We’ll keep you posted on status.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>Ronza Othman, </span></b><span style='font-size:12.0pt'>President</span><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>National Federation of the Blind of Maryland<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>443-426-4110<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Pronouns: she, her, hers<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>The National Federation of the Blind of Maryland knows that blindness is not the characteristic that defines you or your future. Every day we raise the expectations of blind people, because low expectations create obstacles between blind people and our dreams. You can live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>