[NFBMT] Voting Systems for Voters With Disabilities

Fri Feb 23 11:36:43 UTC 2018

I received the following response.  I have pasted the attached committee
agenda way down below all the emails.   The meeting starts at 8:00 A.M. on
Tuesday, March 6.  Joy 

From: Scurr, Sheri [mailto:sscurr at mt.gov] 

Sent: Thursday, February 22, 2018 11:52 AM

To: BRUCE&JOY BRESLAUER breslauerj at gmail.com <mailto:breslauerj at gmail.com> 

Cc: SOS Elections <SOSElections at mt.gov>; Hayes, Casey <CHayes at mt.gov>; Sen.
Sue Malek (senatormalek at gmail.com) <senatormalek at gmail.com>; Kary, Douglas
Sen.Doug.Kary at mt.gov <mailto:Sen.Doug.Kary at mt.gov> 

Subject: Voting Systems for Voters With Disabilities

Dear Joy,

I apologize for the delay in getting back to you. Regarding your question
about disabled people being able to provide public comment on March 6 if they
cannot travel to Helena, yes, there is certainly a way we can arrange for
people to still provide their public comment.  Comment may be offered in
writing at any time and will be forwarded to the full committee.  So, either
before the meeting or after the meeting, anyone who would like may send me an
email or letter with their comments and I will ensure it gets to the full
committee and entered into the record for the meeting. sscurr at mt.gov

Also, yes, the meeting will be live streamed on the internet, but no, there
is no online chat or way to post public comments online during the meeting.
Here is the a link to the webpage that will have the link for the live
streaming to follow the meeting online. http://leg.mt.gov/css/  

After the meeting, the video recording is archived for anyone to listen to
the meeting after the face.  This video recording will be posted to the SAVA
webpage for the March 6 meeting, which is at this link.
http://leg.mt.gov/css/Committees/interim/2017-2018/State-Administration-and-V
eterans-Affairs/Meetings/Mar-2018/mar-2018.asp  

To have comments by phone or video conference during a committee meeting, we
have to make special arrangements.  Speakers who want to comment by phone or
video conference would actually need to be listed on the agenda as an invited
speaker.  (This is the by rules adopted by the Legislative Council.) In other
words, if a person or even two or three people want to comment during the
meeting and cannot offer their comments in person during public comment, we
have to list them on the agenda as an invited speaker or "panel" and then we
could conference the speakers in for the meeting.  If you are interested in
something like this for your folks, please let me know and I'll take the next
steps to get this arranged. Please feel free to email or call me at
406-4440-3596 anytime.  However, I would need our committee chairwoman's
permission to adjust the March 6 agenda accordingly.  Also, we could do this
for our May 16 meeting as a follow-up to the March 6 meeting.  This would
allow your folks more time to prepare their comments and then we would also
have more time to plan the agenda item. 

So there are options.  The committee is very interested in your comments.
So, please let me know how best we can accommodate you and what other
questions you have.

Attached is a copy of the March 6 agenda.  

Also, this is the link to sign up for email notices about the committee
meetings and agendas. http://leg.mt.gov/css/Lyris/email_logon.asp 

Best regards,

Sheri S. Scurr

Research Analyst

Montana Legislative Services Division

P.O. Box 201706

Helena, MT  59620-1706

(406) 444-3596

FAX: (406) 444-3036

sscurr at mt.gov <mailto:sscurr at mt.gov>  

From: Hayes, Casey 
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2018 11:21 AM
To: BRUCE&JOY BRESLAUER <breslauerj at gmail.com <mailto:breslauerj at gmail.com> >
Cc: SOS Elections <SOSElections at mt.gov <mailto:SOSElections at mt.gov> >; Scurr,
Sheri <sscurr at mt.gov <mailto:sscurr at mt.gov> >
Subject: RE: Voting Systems for Voters With Disabilities

Hi Joy,

I've copied Sheri Scurr on this response. She works with the Legislative
Services Division and is conducting the committee's meeting. So, I will defer
to her to answer your questions related to the conduct of the meeting and the
opportunity to speak to the committee.

Thanks,

Casey R. Hayes  |  Elections Specialist
Secretary of State's Office, Corey Stapleton
State Capitol Building, 1301 E. 6th Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
PHONE 406.444.7911

 <http://www.sos.mt.gov/> website  |   <mailto:CHayes at mt.gov> email  |
<https://www.google.com/maps/place/Montana+State+Capitol,+1301+E+6th+Ave,+Hel
ena,+MT+59601/@46.5855856,-112.0199592,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x5343550e
8a945997:0x1395680039cf2f9c!8m2!3d46.5855819!4d-112.0177705> map 

From: BRUCE&JOY BRESLAUER [mailto:breslauerj at gmail.com] 
Sent: Wednesday, February 21, 2018 11:12 AM
To: Hayes, Casey <CHayes at mt.gov <mailto:CHayes at mt.gov> >
Cc: bruce&Joy <breslauerj at gmail.com <mailto:breslauerj at gmail.com> >
Subject: RE: Voting Systems for Voters With Disabilities

Hi, Casey.

Thank you for making me aware of this.

We would all like to be there.  Of course, since we don't drive, our main
concern is transportation.

For those of us who are not able to arrange transportation, is there another
way for us to communicate our thoughts and concerns to the committee?  

Each of us appreciates being able to vote independently and privately, and we
have all appreciated the use of the AutoMark voting machines.  We know,
however, that they are getting older and are difficult to repair.  We are
also concerned about the integrity of our voting system.  With technology
ever changing, there are some states that are investigating the possibility
of voting online for people with disabilities or who are otherwise unable to
get to the polling places.  I like to vote absentee because I can get it done
without having to go to the crowded polling location.  The people know me
there, and there are two machines there, one of which usually works, and if
it doesn't, there's always someone right there to fix it.  I wish the
committee to know how important it is for us to be able to cast our ballots
independently and privately.  That is a right that others may take for
granted, but I have only had it available to me in the past fifteen or twenty
years.  That is a big deal.

Will this hearing be streamed?  Will questions or comments be able to be
posted online?

I am so new to this, I hardly know what to ask.  But I do want our voices to
be heard loud and clear.  

Thank you for making me aware of this opportunity.

Sincerely,

Joy Breslauer, President

National Federation of the Blind of Montana 

Web Site: http://www.nfbofmt.org
<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfbofmt.
org%2F&data=02%7C01%7CCHayes%40mt.gov%7Cfa7c962007d34e603a3d08d57956a7f9%7C07
a94c98f30f4abbbd7ed63f8720dc02%7C0%7C0%7C636548335452727140&sdata=YQ64KgWxHkk
uQLGM0%2Bub6ltmQQuWhMSs3evxEy4sfZE%3D&reserved=0> 

Live the life you want

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work
together to help blind people live the lives they want. 

From: Hayes, Casey [mailto:CHayes at mt.gov] 
Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2018 10:16 AM
To: 'Bruce&Joy Breslauer' <breslauerj at gmail.com>
Cc: 'jkaldrich at sero.email' <jkaldrich at sero.email
<mailto:jkaldrich at sero.email> >; 'dmgina at sero.email' <dmgina at sero.email
<mailto:dmgina at sero.email> >; 'lindazh2 at juno.com' <lindazh2 at juno.com
<mailto:lindazh2 at juno.com> >; 'robbins ' <ecrobbins517 at gmail.com
<mailto:ecrobbins517 at gmail.com> >; 'anna ' <mamarobbins9 at hotmail.com
<mailto:mamarobbins9 at hotmail.com> >; 'sheila' <sheila.leigland at gmail.com
<mailto:sheila.leigland at gmail.com> >; Scurr, Sheri <sscurr at mt.gov
<mailto:sscurr at mt.gov> >
Subject: Voting Systems for Voters With Disabilities

Joy,

I hope this message finds you and your colleagues at the National Federation
of the Blind of Montana well.

Currently, the Montana Legislature is evaluating voting systems for use by
voters with disabilities. Sheri Scurr, Research Analyst for the Montana
Legislative Services Division, should be reaching out to your organization
very soon to invite and encourage your participation in an upcoming committee
hearing of the State Administration and Veteran's Affairs Committee on March
6th in Helena.

I have given Ms. Scurr your email address and copied her on this message so
that she may provide your organization with more detailed information about
the meeting. We are hopeful that you and the members of the National
Federation of the Blind of Montana can attend in order to provide input to
the committee as they consider recommendations on voting systems for use by
voters with disabilities.

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks,

Casey R. Hayes  |  Elections Specialist
Secretary of State's Office, Corey Stapleton
State Capitol Building, 1301 E. 6th Avenue
Helena, MT 59601
PHONE 406.444.7911

<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.sos.mt.g
ov%2F&data=02%7C01%7CCHayes%40mt.gov%7Cfa7c962007d34e603a3d08d57956a7f9%7C07a
94c98f30f4abbbd7ed63f8720dc02%7C0%7C0%7C636548335452727140&sdata=n6X3xOCA7WES
whKx3DMXgCkOQ6H0jF7rpHLs4RNV12Y%3D&reserved=0> website  |
<mailto:CHayes at mt.gov> email  |  map 

The following is the text of the attachment.

March 6 2018 Agenda 6.pdf

PO BOX 201706 Helena, MT 59620-1706 (406) 444-3064

State Administration and Veterans' Affairs Interim Committee FAX (406)
444-3036 

65th Montana Legislature  

SENATE MEMBERS 

HOUSE MEMBERS 

COMMITTEE STAFF  

SUE MALEK--Chair 

DENISE HAYMAN 

SHERI SCURR, Lead Staff  

DOUG KARY--Vice Chair 

FORREST MANDEVILLE 

K. VIRGINIA ALDRICH, Staff Attorney  

DEE BROWN 

WENDY MCKAMEY 

JENNI CARR, Secretary  

FRANK SMITH 

KATHY SWANSON 

AGENDA 

as of 2/12/2018

Meeting #4 -Tuesday, March 6, 2018 

Room 102, Capitol Bldg., Helena 

Please note: all times are approximate

8:00 a.m. 1. Sen. Sue Malek, Presiding Officer 

a. Call to Order, Roll Call 

b. Welcome and agenda overview

8:05 2. Voting Technology and Options for Disabled Electors 

a. Wendy Underhill, Program Director, Elections and Redistricting, National
Conference for State Legislatures (NCSL) 

i. Overview of available technologies 

ii. Other states - uniform ballot laws and what other states laws provide 

iii. Utah study and findings 

iv. Issues and options for Montana

8:45 b. Susan Greenhalgh, Election Specialist, National Election Defense
Coalition 

i. Election security and voting systems 

ii. Best practice recommendations

9:15 c. Michelle Bishop, Disability Advocacy Specialist for Voting Rights,
National Disability Rights Network 

i. Overview of relevant laws related to voting technology for disabled
electors (e.g., HAVA and ADA requirements, other) 

ii. Legal experiences in other states, potential pitfalls

9:45 BREAK 

10:00 d. Lori Mommaerts, Election Systems & Software (ES&S), Montana rep 

i. Current systems county-by-county, AutoMark maintenance process,
replacement options 

ii. ExpressVote machines, costs, ballot tabulation options for counties 

iii. Other alternatives 

iv. Demonstrations - hands on 

10:45 e. Dana Corson, Elections Director, and Casey Hayes, Elections
Specialist, Secretary of State's Office - summary of current services for
disabled electors,

current certification process, issues to consider going forward 

11:15 f. County election administrator comments and any public comment on
voting system technologies for disabled electors 

11:30 g. All speakers at the table, including county election administrator
representative, for roundup discussion, questions, and answers with the
committee

MONTANA LEGISLATIVE SERVICES DIVISION STAFF: 

SUSAN BYORTH FOX, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 

. SONJA NOWAKOWSKI, DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF RESEARCH AND POLICY ANALYSIS

. TODD EVERTS, DIRECTOR, LEGAL SERVICES OFFICE 

. DALE GOW, CIO, OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE INFORMATION SERVICES 

. JOE KOLMAN, DIRECTOR, LEGISLATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY OFFICE 

Page 2 

AGENDA

Meeting #4 -Tuesday, March 6, 2018 

Please note: all times are approximate 

12:00noon LUNCH 

3. Public Pension Plans

1:00p.m. a. Luke Martel, Group Director, Employment, Labor & Retirement, NCSL

i. Overview of pension legislation and actions in other states to recover
from pension fund investment losses 

ii. How do Montana's benefit reductions and contribution increases compare 

iii. Committee questions

1:30 b. Keith Brainard, Research Director, National Association for State
Retirement Plan Administrators (NASRA) 

i. How do Montana's DB plans compare with selected peer states 

ii. Committee questions

2:00 c. Josh Franzel, President/CEO, Center for State and Local Government
Excellence 

i. Overview of the SLGE's guide for elected officials 

ii. Best practice recommendations and trends in costs and funding 

iii. Key take-a-ways: why certain pension plans are better off than others 

iv. Committee questions

2:30 d. Public comment on the pension plans

2:45 e. All speakers at the table for roundup discussion, questions, and
answers with the committee

3:15 BREAK

3:30 4. Rule Review 

< Ginger Aldrich, staff attorney, overview of rule review activities, any
questions from committee members

3:45 5. Public comment on any topic under the committee's jurisdiction

4:00 6. Next meeting agenda - May 16 

a. Voting systems - any follow up 

b. Info. briefings 

i. Overseas and Military Voters - Common Access Cards 

ii. Interstate compact for Military Children - OPI 

iii. State employee pay plan 

iv. Disaster and emergency services - state and local planning, preparedness 

ADJOURNMENT 

*Special accommodations available: The Montana Legislative Services Division
will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who wish to
participate in this public meeting. If you require an accommodation, please
contact Sheri Scurr at 406-444-3596 or sscurr at mt.gov at least 5 working days
before the meeting date to discuss the nature of the accommodation you need.

Joy Breslauer, President

National Federation of the Blind of Montana 

Web Site: http://www.nfbofmt.org
<https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nfbofmt.
org%2F&data=02%7C01%7CCHayes%40mt.gov%7Cfa7c962007d34e603a3d08d57956a7f9%7C07
a94c98f30f4abbbd7ed63f8720dc02%7C0%7C0%7C636548335452727140&sdata=YQ64KgWxHkk
uQLGM0%2Bub6ltmQQuWhMSs3evxEy4sfZE%3D&reserved=0> 

Live the life you want

The National Federation of the Blind is a community of members and friends
who believe in the hopes and dreams of the nation's blind. Every day we work
together to help blind people live the lives they want. 

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