[nfbmi-talk] why wasn't automark used here?

Tue Nov 20 11:34:09 UTC 2012

I had similar thoughts a Jason, so I inquired further, and here is the
response I received.  I believe this example is a teaching moment for the
NFBM for future elections as Jason suggests.  It certainly worth exploring.

Terry

Follow-up Response from Megan the Oakland Press reporter:

Hi Terry,
We have someone in the newsroom who is an expert on these type of things. He
that
said the person should call an ADA Specialist (800-514-0301), and also
complain to
the county clerk. Perhaps they would have an answer for you.
Also, understand that the group that made these claims had special
interests. I'm
not saying the event didn't happen, but we must be skeptical of their
claims. I have
heard nothing further on this case since I wrote it on election night.
If you would like to call our reporter who has been working on these cases
for many
years, his name is Jerry Wolffe and his number is 248-745-4612.
Thanks for the email,
Megan Semeraz
Multimedia Reporter, The Oakland Press
Phone: 248-745-4628
megan.semeraz at oakpress.com
Twitter: @MeganSemeraz
On Nov 19, 2012, at 11:31 AM, Terry Eagle wrote:
Hi Megan,
An incident like this should not happen given technology today.  Does
Pontiac not
have and make available the Automark, a machine that allows a blind person
to cast
a voting ballot in private and remain secret?
If Pontiac does have the Automark, is it offered to disabled voters, and are
precinct
workers trained on its use, so workers can demonstrate its use to voters?
Best regards,
Terry Eagle
Pontiac precinct accused of changing blind voter's ballot
Published: Tuesday, November 06, 2012
By MEGAN SEMERAZ
Megan.Semeraz at oakpress.com
; Twitter:
@MeganSemeraz
A Lansing organization called Protecting Michigan Taxpayers, which strongly
opposes
Proposal 2, has accused Pontiac Precinct 13 of breaking election law
after they say a blind voter's ballot was changed.
Nick DeLeeuw, spokesman for the organization, said the blind voter requested
a "no"
vote on Michigan ballot proposals, and instead recorded a "yes" vote.
A poll watcher saw the incident, and wanted to challenge it.
When the vote was challenged, DeLeeuw said the Precinct Captain Carla
Williams refused
to accept the challenge on the ballot.
Pontiac City Clerk Sherikia Hawkins said she had heard about the incident,
but that
is not what happened. She said the legally blind voter was being assisted
and wanted the help.  Hawkins said that the group is misinforming people,
and the
vote was not changed.
 Jared Rodriguez, a spokesperson for Protecting Michigan Taxpayer said: "The
precinct
captain's refusal to accept a legally required 'challenge' on the ballot
cast by a voter whose vote was shamelessly changed against his will is
reprehensible."
Contact Megan Semeraz at 248-745-4628 or email
Megan.Semeraz at oakpress.com
or follow her on Twitter @MeganSemeraz
Source:
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2012/11/06/news/local_news/doc509990
7e6

-----Original Message-----
From:  Jason Meddaugh
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] why wasn't automark used here?

Not all people are comfortable with using the technology, even if it is 
available. Some would just prefer the help. We can certainly work to educate

more people on the benefits of using the machines, etc.
It may be something to think about for 2014, having the NFB of MI hosting 
some demonstrations in key locations. Would also be good PR for us.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "joe harcz Comcast" <joeharcz at comcast.net>
To: <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, November 19, 2012 10:28 AM
Subject: [nfbmi-talk] why wasn't automark used here?

Why wasn't the Automark used?

Joe Harcz

Pontiac precinct accused of changing blind voter's ballot

Published: Tuesday, November 06, 2012

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By MEGAN SEMERAZ

Megan.Semeraz at oakpress.com

; Twitter:

@MeganSemeraz

A Lansing organization called Protecting Michigan Taxpayers, which strongly 
opposes Proposal 2, has accused Pontiac Precinct 13 of breaking election law

after they say a blind voter's ballot was changed.

Nick DeLeeuw, spokesman for the organization, said the blind voter requested

a "no" vote on Michigan ballot proposals, and instead recorded a "yes" vote.

A poll watcher saw the incident, and wanted to challenge it.

When the vote was challenged, DeLeeuw said the Precinct Captain Carla 
Williams refused to accept the challenge on the ballot.

Pontiac City Clerk Sherikia Hawkins said she had heard about the incident, 
but that is not what happened. She said the legally blind voter was being 
assisted

and wanted the help.

Hawkins said that the group is misinforming people, and the vote was not 
changed.

Jared Rodriguez, a spokesperson for Protecting Michigan Taxpayer said: "The 
precinct captain's refusal to accept a legally required 'challenge' on the 
ballot

cast by a voter whose vote was shamelessly changed against his will is 
reprehensible."

Contact Megan Semeraz at 248-745-4628 or email

Megan.Semeraz at oakpress.com

or follow her on Twitter @MeganSemeraz

Pontiac precinct accused of changing blind voter's ballot

Published: Tuesday, November 06, 2012

Get RSS Feed

Print This

Email This

Share on Stumble Upon

share/share_comment

8

By MEGAN SEMERAZ

Megan.Semeraz at oakpress.com

; Twitter:

@MeganSemeraz

A Lansing organization called Protecting Michigan Taxpayers, which strongly 
opposes Proposal 2, has accused Pontiac Precinct 13 of breaking election law