[NFBMT] Convention question

Wed Oct 23 17:06:30 UTC 2019

Yes, Montana requires paper ballots.  The new voting machines that will be
deployed in a couple of years issue a non-standard paper ballot.  The
non-standard ballot is smaller than the standard ballots, so it's the size
that makes them different, including different formatting to include all the
same stuff that goes on the standard ballot.  Montana adopted a new state
law in the 2019 Legislative Session that allows non-standard ballots.  The
new counting machines that will be deployed in a couple years scan both the
standard and non-standard ballots into its system, and all the paper ballots
are kept as a backup to the electronic counting system.

The non-standard ballots create a threat to voter privacy, but ballot
secrecy can be assured if many voters use the new voting machines in a
couple of years.  We do not want the new voting machines to be used only by
voters with disabilities.  If many voters use the new machines, it will no
longer be easy to tell who cast the ballot.  I like to think of it as
integration and taking the "special" out of voting by people with
disabilities.  In many states, all voters can use voting machines, and many
do.  What's really cool is that any voting machine must be accessible to and
usable by blind and other voters with disabilities according to the Help
America Vote Act, which the United States adopted in 2004.  True first class
citizenship occurs in the mainstream and not through segregated approaches
for voters with disabilities.

Jim Marks
President
National Federation of the Blind of Montana
(406) 438-1421
president at nfbofmt.org
www.nfbofmt.org

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBMT [mailto:nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Rik James via
NFBMT
Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2019 5:14 PM
To: 'NFB of Montana Discussion List' <nfbmt at nfbnet.org>
Cc: rixmix2009 at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [NFBMT] Convention question

Does Montana currently have a paper backup ballot?
This is somewhat unrelated, I realize to electronic ballot machines.
But I am concerned generally about election security in states that do not
have the paper backup, when electronic voting is used.

I am sorry that we could not have the machines in Missoula. But I appreciate
very much, Robert, Jim, and the local election officials for cooperating
with our request to have a demonstration.

Rik

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBMT <nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of president--- via NFBMT
Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2019 2:39 PM
To: 'NFB of Montana Discussion List' <nfbmt at nfbnet.org>
Cc: president at nfbofmt.org
Subject: Re: [NFBMT] Convention question

Just to clarify, Robert Jaquiss, our 2019 Montana Convention Chairman, asked
the Missoula County Clerk and Recorder to demonstrate a new voting machine
at our Convention.  I also was involved in the last few days of the
arrangements.  Missoula County did not have one of the new machines, but
they tried to get the vender to demonstrate one for us.  That fell through
the day before the Convention because the vender encountered a last minute
schedule conflict.  All this does not matter much because Montana will not
deploy the new voting machines and the new vote counting technology until
after 2021.  My earlier e-mail explains why this delay is occurring.  The
delayed implementation means the NFB-MT will hold two more conventions
before the new machines will be put to use, so we have lots of time to give
them a whirl over the next couple of years. 

Best!

Jim Marks
President
National Federation of the Blind of Montana
(406) 438-1421
president at nfbofmt.org
www.nfbofmt.org

-----Original Message-----
From: NFBMT [mailto:nfbmt-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of d m gina via
NFBMT
Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2019 12:49 PM
To: nfbmt at nfbnet.org
Cc: d m gina <dmgina at mysero.net>
Subject: Re: [NFBMT] Convention question

No one was asked if they could bring the machine, where something came up
and it didn't happen.

Original message:
> Since I wasn't there, I want to ask, was there a voting machine there?  
> Joy

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