[Nfbv-announce] Protect Independent, Private voting for the Blind

[patnaude.sarah at yahoo.com]

Hi Virginia Federationists,





  


Our colleagues in Maryland have a challenge maintaining a private, independent vote. If we make it clear in Maryland, this can help ensure mistakes aren’t made in Virginia or elsewhere. 


We have been asked if some Virginia Federationists would like to participate in an informational protest in Baltimore on June 14 to protect independent private voting. In my opinion, participating in a protest is a blast. 


If interested, please reach out to Sharon directly. 


nfbmd <nfbmd at earthlink.net> 


  


The request from our NFB of ND President and the flier is below. 


The NFB of Maryland is having a protest on Thursday, June 14. We are assembling at 10:30 and the protest will be over by 1. The location is South East Anchor Library, 3601 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore. The NFB of Maryland may be able to provide transportation from New Carrolton. I have a van, but I don’t know how full it will be yet. If I can’t do that, I will get you picked up at the train station. The attached flyer will explain more about the protest. Please get back to me ASAP to tell me who is coming. 


  


Sharon Maneki, President 


National Federation of the Blind of Maryland 


410-715-9596 


nfbmd <nfbmd at earthlink.net> 


The details are provided below. 


INFORMATIONAL PROTEST 


  


My vote is not private or secret! 


My differently shaped ballot is easy to spot! 


  


JOIN US: 


Thursday, June 14, 2018 


  Arrive 10:30 am and Depart 1:00 pm 


Southeast Anchor Library 


3601 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 


  


Ballot marking devices (BMD) allow people with disabilities to vote privately and independently, but the 


ballot they produce is substantially different 


than the one used by all other voters! 


  


The State Board of Elections is segregating the disability vote! 


  


The State Board of Elections (SBE) only requires that at least 2 people use the BMD at each precinct 


  


2 IS NOT ENOUGH!!! 


  


If only people with disabilities request to use the BMD, then 


our vote is not private or secret! 


  


The Solution is Simple: 


The State Board of Elections must require that at least 30 people (with and without disabilities) use the BMD per precinct 


  


Tell the SBE not to segregate the disability vote! 


Request to use the BMD when you vote! 


  


Tracy Soforenko 


President, National Federation of the Blind of Virginia 


202 285-4595 


Tracy.soforenko at gmail.com 


www.nfb.org 


www.nfbv.org 


National Federation of the Blind. 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.