[NFBMT] LEGISLATIVE ALERT: SB 291 REVISE LAWS ON VOTING SYSTEMS AND BALLOT FORM

Mon Apr 1 20:06:23 UTC 2019

Well now,
This is interesting.
Glad they are still letting us vote no matter how it is.
Thanks for sharing.

Original message:
>> From what I understand, the AutoMark machines are eventually going to be
> replaced by other newer technology that doesn't put out the same size ballot as
> the paper ballots.  So somebody or somebodys will have to transcribe the
> information printed out by the new technology onto paper ballots like the ones
> used by everybody else, to preserve our privacy and secrecy.  Apparently they
> do the same for military voters who vote overseas

> Right now, Montana is using the AutoMARK, but as they age and are no longer
> able to be repaired, this will change.

> This is information from the Montana Secretary of State web site.

> Voters with Disabilities

> ELECTRONIC BALLOT REQUEST SYSTEM

> Montana's Statewide Elections have various options for voters with disabilities
> or voters who need special assistance, including the new Electronic Ballot
> Request System (EBRS), available for state and federal elections beginning 30
> days before election day and through noon the day before election day.

> Every polling place in Montana has at least one specialized voting machine,
> called an AutoMARK, that enables people with disabilities to vote independently
> and privately.

> If you cannot enter a polling place, election judges will assist you with
> "curbside voting."

> If you have a physical disability or are unable to read or write, you may ask
> an election judge to help you mark your ballot. Or, you can bring any
> individual (other than your employer or employer's agent or union agent) who,
> with the permission of the election judge, can go into the voting booth with
> you and
> help you vote. You may also designate an agent to assist you with the voting
> process on the
> Designation of Agent by Individual with Disability
>  form. Deliver the signed application to your
> local election office.
> You may apply for an electronic ballot that can be marked on your personal
> computer, printed and returned by mail or in person to the election office.

> The Voter Information Pamphlet published by the Secretary of State for each
> state general election is available in Braille and audio formats.

> Dar
> Every Saint has a past,
> Every sinner has a future, Sent from my iPad

>> On Mar 29, 2019, at 11:17 PM, BRUCE&JOY BRESLAUER via NFBMT
>> <nfbmt at nfbnet.org> wrote:

>> Hello, fellow Montana Federationists.

>> SB 291, the bill to revise laws on voting systems and ballot form,
>> will have a public hearing on Tuesday, April 2 at 8:00 A.M. before the
>> House State Administration Committee.

>> It already sailed through the Senate, and now it's the House's turn to
>> consider SB 291.  We should make our voices heard concerning our
>> desire to vote privately and independently, and our desire to assure
>> that our ballots are the same as everyone else uses.  Since there are
>> no voting machines available now that comply with our wishes, the only
>> other option is to push for integration of the machines so that an
>> increased number and diversity of voters will use them

>> If I can find transportation to Helena, I will be going to represent us.
>> Regardless of whether I am able to go, I sent in my testimony.  See below.

>> Snip snip

>> I am writing as an individual who is blind, and also as the first vice
>> president of the National Federation of the Blind of Montana, the
>> largest consumer advocacy and civil rights organization in the United
>> States, consisting of over fifty thousand members, and with chapters
>> in all fifty states, as well as the District of Columbia and Puerto
>> Rico.  The only way I would be for this bill is if all voters were
>> encouraged to use the same voting technology, so that the ballots of
>> disabled voters cannot be distinguished from those of nondisabled
>> voters.  I would feel better if our privacy and secrecy rights were
>> built in to the process from the beginning, rather than added on as a
>> rather clumsy afterthought.  The ballots used by the disabled should
>> be of the same size and content as those used by the nondisabled
>> population.  that is the only way to guarantee the secrecy and privacy
>> of voting which every other citizen enjoys.  I can't stress this strongly
>> enough.  thank you for taking my concerns into consideration.

>> 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.

>> Snip snip

>> If you would like to leave a message for a legislator, you can call
>> 406-444-4800 and operators will take a message that will be forwarded
>> to legislators.  Please be aware that they will ask for your name and
>> address, which will not be shared other than with the legislator. The
>> operators can take a message for up to 5 legislators at one time or to an
>> entire committee.

>> You may also contact legislators using the online web message form.

>> https://leg.mt.gov/web-messaging/

>> Joy Breslauer, First Vice President and Public Policies Committee
>> chair

>> National Federation of the Blind of Montana

>> Web Site: http://www.nfbofmt.org <http://www.nfbofmt.org/>

>> 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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-- 
--Dar
skype: dmgina23
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every saint has a past
every sinner has a future