[nfbmi-talk] hold the presses

Thu Mar 3 03:02:09 UTC 2016

Hello,

Well, I always go to the polling place, so haven't run into this.  I do not vote absentee because I do not want anyone to vote for me.  It makes no sense not to use an automark at the clerk's office.

Thank you, Mark, for working on our voting rights.  

Warmest Regards,

Fred

-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael Powell via nfbmi-talk
Sent: Wednesday, March 2, 2016 4:45 PM
To: 'NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List' <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Michael Powell <mpowell7583 at yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] hold the presses

Hello all.
I have been trying to convince some of my friends, who live in other states, as well as fellow chapter members, to vote at the poling locations and make use of the automark or whatever technology was provided under the Help America Vote Act.  Unfortunately because of transportation or other issues some still prefer to vote in the comfort of their homes using an absentee ballot and have a sighted family member or friend assist them.
I have used the automark since it was first implemented and I had no problem with it.  I will now be using a different voting location so I will see if I meet with the same success there.  If the Help America Vote Act did not address absentee voting then we need to have it addressed at the state and local levels.   The blind voter should make the decision to have assistance filling out an absentee ballot and there should also be a way to vote with an absentee ballot independently so one can make an informed choice.
It did surprise me that an Automark couldn't be used as an accommodation especially at a clerk's office.
Mike.  
-----Original Message-----
From: nfbmi-talk [mailto:nfbmi-talk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of J.J. Meddaugh via nfbmi-talk
Sent: Wednesday, March 02, 2016 4:02 PM
To: NFB of Michigan Internet Mailing List
Cc: J.J. Meddaugh
Subject: Re: [nfbmi-talk] hold the presses

The precedent was just set in Maryland by a recent NFB case. As a judge, I'd be hard-pressed to find reasons to the contrary if we pursue this here.

On 3/2/2016 2:53 PM, Christine Boone via nfbmi-talk wrote:
> Well done Mark! Thank you for not settling for second-class citizen ship! If more people stood up and spoke out as you have done, our path would be much more level.
>
> Boone Christine Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Mar 1, 2016, at 6:19 PM, Terry D. Eagle via nfbmi-talk <nfbmi-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>
> FOR IMMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
>
>
> Contact:  Mark Eagle (517) 394-4548  <mailto:markaeagle at yahoo.com> markaeagle at yahoo.com
>
>
>
> Persons with Disabilities aren’t allowed to vote independently for President of the United States.
>
>
>
>
>
> LANSING – A blind Lansing resident Mark Eagle went to his City Clerk’s office on Monday, February 29 to cast an absentee ballot for the upcoming Presidential primary being held on Tuesday March 8th.
>
>
>
> When Mr. Eagle indicated that he wanted to use the automark to fill out his ballot independently he was told they didn’t have an automark available at the city clerk’s office.  Shortly after voting Mr. Eagle got in contact with the City of Lansing Clerk Chris Swope. Swope told Mr. Eagle over the phone the State of Michigan stated local clerks weren’t allowed to have automarks at the clerk’s office because it is not considered a polling location like on Election Day.
>
>
>
> Astounded by this response, Mr. Eagle reacted by contacting the Michigan Bureau of Elections to confirm the validity of this. An election specialist did indicate that local clerks offices are not allowed to have automarks at stationed at the clerk’s office for absentee ballots. When Mr. Eagle pressed for further clarification of what law, rule or policies outline this, he was directed to the Director of the Election Liaison Division, Sally Williams.  Ms. Williams said they have never heard of the problem and it would need to be researched further.
>
>
>
> Mr. Eagle stated, “I am disappointed as a person with a visual disability that I am not allowed to cast a secret ballot independently. Elections are fundamental to our democracy and every citizen should be treated fairly and equally when voting. I hope the state of Michigan can change its stance in order to allow more individuals like myself to participate in the election process”  .
>
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-- 
Best regards,
J.J.

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