[NFBWV-Talk] Fwd: [State-Affiliate-Leadership-List] Accessible Absentee Ballots to Become Permanently Available to all Disabled Michigan Voters

Tue May 19 21:59:18 UTC 2020

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Danielsen, Chris via State-Affiliate-Leadership-List <
state-affiliate-leadership-list at nfbnet.org>
Date: Tue, May 19, 2020 at 5:37 PM
Subject: [State-Affiliate-Leadership-List] Accessible Absentee Ballots to
Become Permanently Available to all Disabled Michigan Voters
To: NCB Staff <NCBStaff at nfb.org>, nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org <
nfbnet-members-list at nfbnet.org>, State Affiliate Leadership List <
state-affiliate-leadership-list at nfbnet.org>
CC: Danielsen, Chris <CDanielsen at nfb.org>

[image: Title: NFB of Michigan - Description: National Federation of the
Blind Michigan Live the life you want.][image: Grewal Law PLLC][image:
Brown Goldstein Levy LLP]

*Blind Michigan Voters Win Groundbreaking Lawsuit *

* Accessible Absentee Ballots to Become Permanently Available to all
Disabled Michigan Voters   *

*Southfield, Michigan (May 19, 2020): *In a historic outcome, a Federal
Court in Detroit has approved a consent decree that orders the State of
Michigan to provide accessible absentee ballots to blind Michigan voters in
all future elections. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of blind voters Michael
Powell and Fred Wurtzel, along with the National Federation of the Blind of
Michigan, alleged that Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and
Director of Elections Jonathan Brater violated the Americans with
Disabilities Act by failing to provide absentee ballots that can be
completed by the blind. The lawsuit additionally argued that the COVID-19
pandemic will result in most, if not all, Michiganders voting by absentee
or mail-in ballot in upcoming elections. This prospect threatened the
voting rights of blind Michiganders because the State of Michigan has yet
to offer an accessible absentee ballot, even though no-reason absentee
voting was enshrined in the Michigan Constitution in 2018.

“The Americans with Disabilities Act is not optional—it requires state
services to be offered in an equal manner—particularly a service as
fundamental as voting,” said Jason Turkish, President and Managing Partner
of Nyman Turkish PC, attorney for Plaintiffs Wurtzel and Powell. “The right
to vote is fundamental to a thriving democracy. Today we have bolstered our
democracy by ensuring everyone has equal access to the ballot box,
regardless of disability.”

Today’s consent decree signed by US District Court Judge Gershwin Drain is
the second victory for the Plaintiffs in the case, who previously obtained
a landmark consent order requiring the State to implement a temporary
accessible ballot for blind voters in time for the May 2020 local
elections. The new consent decree will result in a permanent solution that
has been tested and proven effective for use by blind voters in other
states.

“The National Federation of the Blind has been urging voting jurisdictions
to adopt vote-by-mail systems that are accessible for years now,” said Mark
Riccobono, President of the National Federation of the Blind. “These
systems are required by federal law, benefit many voters with disabilities,
and are especially critical as jurisdictions try to prevent the spread of
COVID-19. The National Federation of the Blind is therefore escalating our
effort to promote adoption of these systems so that blind and deafblind
voters everywhere can participate equally in American democracy.”

“Voting has always been an important part of my life,” said Plaintiff
Michael Powell, President of the National Federation of the Blind of
Michigan. “The blind have faced historic barriers to participating in the
political process. Today’s victory is a positive step toward ensuring the
full participation of the blind in all aspects of society, including the
political sphere.”

The Court will retain jurisdiction to enforce today’s order and monitor the
voting system, and the State will be required to provide periodic updates
on the progress of implementation.

“Even one person being denied the right to vote is corrosive to democracy,”
said David Mittleman, Partner at Grewal Law and co-counsel for the
Plaintiffs. “The courage demonstrated by the Plaintiffs to stand up, not
just for their own rights, but for the rights of those similarly situated,
is a testament to their character and has resulted in a revolutionary
outcome that will protect the rights of disabled Michiganders for years to
come.”

For more information on new absentee voting options, continue to visit the
Secretary of State’s website at: https://www.michigan.gov/elections.

The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan was represented by Eve L.
Hill of the Baltimore firm Brown, Goldstein & Levy LLP
<https://browngold.com/>.

###

*About the National Federation of the Blind *

The National Federation of the Blind (NFB), headquartered in Baltimore, is
the oldest and largest nationwide organization of blind Americans. Founded
in 1940, the NFB consists of affiliates, chapters, and divisions in the
fifty states, Washington DC, and Puerto Rico. The NFB defends the rights of
blind people of all ages and provides information and support to families
with blind children, older Americans who are losing vision, and more. We
believe in the hopes and dreams of blind people and work together to
transform them into reality. Learn more about our many programs and
initiatives at www.nfb.org.

*CONTACT:*

Chris Danielsen

Director of Public Relations

National Federation of the Blind

(410) 659-9314, extension 2330

(410) 262-1281 (Cell)

cdanielsen at nfb.org

Also available at:
https://www.nfb.org/about-us/press-room/blind-michigan-voters-win-groundbreaking-lawsuit

Christopher S. Danielsen, J.D.

Director of Public Relations

200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230
<https://www.google.com/maps/search/200+East+Wells+Street,+Baltimore,+MD+21230?entry=gmail&source=g>

(410) 659-9314, Ext. 2330 | cdanielsen at nfb.org

Twitter: @rlawyer

[image: National Federation of the Blind] <https://nfb.org/>

                         [image: Facebook]
<http://www.facebook.com/nationalfederationoftheblind>    [image: Twitter]
<https://twitter.com/NFB_Voice>    [image: Youtube]
<https://www.youtube.com/NationsBlind>

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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-- 
Sheri Koch, President
National Federation of the Blind of West Virginia
304-993-5103
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