[NFBWATlk] Action needed! electronic ballot return bill

Tue Jan 24 06:16:09 UTC 2023

Moore information on H.B. 1475:

The main features of this bill are
1. You could return your ballot through a secure,  online portal. You would not need a printer and you would not need an envelop.
2. The groups of people who could use this ballot return system would be disabled voters, overseas and military voters and 
people in jails who  still have voting rights because they have not been convicted of a felony or charged with a federal crime
3. No signature would be required so no more worries about that signature matching the one they have on file for you.
4. To verify that you are a member of one of the three groups you would simply check a box,
5. This is not a new voting system. It is just another way to return a ballot.

When you click on the link to the bill you can comment on it. You can check a box stating that you are in favor of the bill  and you can add your own comments . It is important to tell the legislature why this bill is important to you in your own words. You can also read the bill. To do this you will scroll down to the section called “Available Documents” and then click on the link labelled “Original Bill”

This legislation would give us the ability to return a ballot privately, securely and independently. It would allow us the same convenience as sighted voters have because the portal would be available to us at the same time that ballots are mailed out to everyone. for early voting. The portal would be open from the first day of early voting until 8:00 PM on election night. Passing this bill  would mean no more worries about whether you could get to a place with an accessible voting machine or having to vote when such places are open. Every county would still be required to have accessible voting units. None of the other options for voting and ballot return would go away. 

It is important to have as many of us as possible attending the hearing, either in person or via Zoom. I will be going to Olympia for the hearing on Wednesday afternoon. The location of the hearing is House Hearing Room E, John O’Brien Building, Olympia, WA. Anyone who is available that day can go with me. If you are an NFBW member who doesn’t live in the Seattle/Tacoma/Everett area and you want to go to Olympia to testify in person or to be there as a supporter of the bill we may be able to assist you with transportation costs. If you want to be there in person please coordinate with me. You can also send the committee written testimony and/or testify virtually. Here is a link to the committee hearing on January 25 for H.B. 1475:

https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/House <https://app.leg.wa.gov/csi/House>

Please contact me if you have questions or need help with writing comments or testimony. This is an important bill for us as blind voters.

Marci Carpenter, President
NFB of Washington
206-604-5507
mjc59 at comcast.net

> On Jan 23, 2023, at 8:19 PM, Marci Carpenter <mjc59 at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> Hello Everyone,
> 
> The bill which would allow us to return ballots electronically has been introduced in the state House of Representatives. It is HB 1475. We need your help now. The bill is already scheduled for its first committee hearing this Wednesday, January 25 at 1:30 PM with the House State Government and Tribal Relations Committee.  Here is the link to use to find your legislative district and representatives -
> https://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/ <https://app.leg.wa.gov/DistrictFinder/>
> 
> 
> Our billHere’s a link to the bill –
>  
> https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1475&Year=2023&Initiative=false <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fapp.leg.wa.gov%2Fbillsummary%3FBillNumber%3D1475%26Year%3D2023%26Initiative%3Dfalse&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012081459%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=nnr2IbTqk41VgGX0Uu5%2Bg1OTtGSXHYPeTZeLR410EoE%3D&reserved=0>
>  
> The sponsors (all democrats) are –
> Sponsors: Farivar <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23farivar&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012081459%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=P%2BP1iRAKEZSJx8l4MwTtuWoZnU5nafWZLUbOI9rcb2Y%3D&reserved=0>, Mena <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23mena&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012081459%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=LNSG7JSAIQDbE4LeRrSpTwhk1GpP3aiZc%2FXDXCzlOaQ%3D&reserved=0>, Fosse <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23fosse&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012081459%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=MqyFGRwxw%2FWD0%2F%2BZ1LVsznk89VhFWmuowjGAd7h64rM%3D&reserved=0>, Taylor <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23taylor&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012081459%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=gVYi%2F6RNcs6e5nM0iwrPY5QG1AMw2n4pQ%2FmCqeiS8TY%3D&reserved=0>, Reed <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23reed&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012081459%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=uIBPepNv2AxeRYusIK6tTDSqqxqHznC7DQAcSrPT%2Fxo%3D&reserved=0>, Gregerson <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23gregerson&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012081459%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=DRFiq9jTKgj4Kp8S%2FMZ%2B2lPC8Qx9b6js1d9toDfGPco%3D&reserved=0>, Simmons <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23simmons&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012081459%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=gLL1sOneJ8O%2BIISE927vDF23bHXhgQjPDJyE2HToIVU%3D&reserved=0>, Chapman <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23chapman&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012081459%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=MPxmN%2BpFZeQxXZx9N5frQdLs9ckOZ1z5PyDIzT1z0Co%3D&reserved=0>, Ryu <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23ryu&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012237688%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Mb8spVqqYXqEANKz%2Bm81QxcaRazC9PJD2F78zMcmndk%3D&reserved=0>, Peterson <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23peterson&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012237688%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=8Xdz1bEArE2RlQwezZ96rchHYohoXM3tDI5jzj9xAMM%3D&reserved=0>, Ramel <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23ramel&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012237688%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=Pp8uW9J1uCmO%2FuQ0yIi2FNoHpBWmHngjbUz9orXOI9M%3D&reserved=0>, Macri <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23macri&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012237688%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=guCqXmn%2FMdFwWb%2BUjeMXPMdalAJ5a7gGTq4q576YeXU%3D&reserved=0>, Morgan <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23morgan&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012237688%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=tHGbZrBa9ZZabYUB3bmKv8LhFtKnTtF0ECmBSYi%2B5sg%3D&reserved=0>, Bergquist <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23bergquist&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012237688%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=VJ%2Fr0epzvBPiTwqyESic0bZ6DFbaM0UcmUkeAxiin7k%3D&reserved=0>, Pollet <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23pollet&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012237688%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=yEbTOcWLZHd8p6Peh4pvFTEzdlzGUcYkwk7%2FXcDauks%3D&reserved=0>
>  
> Legislators on the Committee (State Government and Tribal Relations) include –
>  
> Ramos, Bill <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23m29091&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012237688%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=HMGD7VZoXBX5l4zJ1sDtTEN9SlrAPPUybAEhuVF3bAM%3D&reserved=0> (D)
> Chair
> 325 John L. O'Brien Building
> (360) 786-7852
> Stearns, Chris <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23m34023&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012237688%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=sr9QIiMdL36EtCwyBYR58Xo1X5FHrn%2B8B1oXU5iLAKg%3D&reserved=0> (D)
> Vice Chair
> 306 John L. O'Brien Building
> (360) 786-7858
> Abbarno, Peter <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23m31526&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012237688%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=0Jbtvu3f044baDbrzVEiBcNAvoZJuyF6X%2BOKYigfJ%2FY%3D&reserved=0> (R)
> Ranking Minority Member
> 411 John L. O'Brien Building
> (360) 786-7896
> Christian, Leonard <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23m18458&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012237688%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=rmR8ahq8t10qFvzW0BtIxOcaCRpR%2FNsj1zWvgt0xPIc%3D&reserved=0> (R)
> Assistant Ranking Minority Member
> 122C Legislative Building
> (360) 786-7984
> Gregerson, Mia <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23m18264&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012237688%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=xJC%2FoW5IsHn8sAF7iDFhjgPO1h%2BQH3f4FdkC0FfZsLw%3D&reserved=0> (D)
> 328 John L. O'Brien Building
> (360) 786-7868
> Low, Sam <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23m34031&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012393887%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=CBDuyv4EF1hCFPO9XENXleTNmWThRF8jW660EETACDQ%3D&reserved=0> (R)
> 430 John L. O'Brien Building
> (360) 786-7967
> Mena, Sharlett <https://nam11.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fleg.wa.gov%2Fhouse%2Frepresentatives%2Fpages%2Fdefault.aspx%23m27494&data=05%7C01%7Ccharlie%40democracylive.com%7Cb6d9060760ed4d58369708dafd6824bd%7Ca3a819610a344f629c7c675d2ce850e5%7C0%7C0%7C638100921012393887%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJWIjoiMC4wLjAwMDAiLCJQIjoiV2luMzIiLCJBTiI6Ik1haWwiLCJXVCI6Mn0%3D%7C3000%7C%7C%7C&sdata=FFnhBfquRddVvhzz8pcfb75b9H61O7ZWlACR%2B71FRnk%3D&reserved=0> (D)
> 319 John L. O'Brien Building
> (360) 786-7996
>  
> Clicking on their name provides a link to their legislative webpages.
>  
> Let me know what you need.