[nfb-talk] independent voting and the blind

[T. Joseph Carter]

Ray,

Of course we know who complained about the machines.  We'll probably argue
against at least half of the list about the reasons why they complained
about the machines.  That said, election security is basically a joke all
around, and both parties know it.  The notion of one eligible, registered
voter and one vote sounds good in principle.  Reality is more interesting.

We'd be amazed by how many dead people cast their ballot apparently from
beyond the grave, for example.  Even once it's determined (usually after
the election) that these dead people voted, the anonymous ballot makes it
impossible to determine for whom they voted.  Once the ballot is turned
in, it's counted.  Unless it isn't.

So until we have a reasonable and comprehensive way to eliminate all of
the other forms of election fraud which actively take place, I don't want
to hear that we, the blind, cannot have a simple, confidential, and
anonymous ballot because some halfwitted bureaucrat sees conspiracies to
keep HIS candidate from winning lurking around every corner.  The AutoMark
in particular is a great machine and it works well.

We have the right to vote, just the same as anyone else.  And we have the
right to vote in the same manner and with the same protections as everyone
else.  Congress even did something useful for once and passed laws
mandating that we be given the rights so long denied us.  We should not
give an inch on this issue.

Joseph,
Mad as hell that we still haven't won this one


On Thu, Jan 31, 2008 at 08:27:58PM -0600, Ray Foret jr wrote:
> First, note the change in subject line.
> Ah, Bill, well, that settles my mind a little.  You see, the reports on the 
> ever trust-worthy media (yeah right) led me to believe that the machines 
> were going away entirely.  Somebody once told me that before the machines, 
> Braille ballots were used.  They were used in such a way that a sightie 
> could determine what markings had been made for what choices.  This, so I 
> seem to recall, was in Lincoln Nebraska.  I won't say, but, I have my own 
> particular ideas of who complained about the new electronic machines; and, 
> those of y'all on this list who know me well can figure that out as y'all 
> will.  My point of concern was and still remains that the blind of Florida 
> will no longer have a way to vote INDEPENDENTLY and privately.  Now, it may 
> seem a strange thing for a blind person from Louisiana to be concerned about 
> the situation in Florida; but, you see, it's really very simple.  What 
> effects some of us effects us all; whether directly or indirectly.  Am I 
> right in guessing that there are other states where this same concern has 
> seemed to raise its head?
> 
> Sincerely yours,
> The Constantly Barefooted,
> Ray
> Home phone and fax:
> (985)360-3375
> E-mail:
> rforetjratcomcastdotnet
> Skype Name:
> barefootedray
> 
> God bless President George W. Bush!
> God bless our troops!
> and God bless America
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Bill Outman" <woutman at earthlink.net>
> To: "NFB Talk Mailing List" <nfb-talk at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, January 31, 2008 4:26 PM
> Subject: Re: [nfb-talk] speakers
> 
> 
> Hi, Ray and all.
> 
> Here's a few thoughts on this issue.
> 
> What's happening here in Florida is a new requirement for a paper trail on
> the machines is taking effect.  By the way the change of the presidential
> primary date was tacked on to that bill and that resulted in the issues over
> counting of party delegates.  But that's another story.
> 
> I can't speak to the entire state but here in Volusia County this means the
> Diebolt machines will go away which were  being used for early voting and
> accessible voting.  We'll be going to the AutoMark device which has
> accessible features but prints out the ballot which can then be run through
> the optical scan machines.
> 
> Theoretically then we should still be able to vote independently but it
> means we and the poll workers will again have to learn new devices and the
> prior investment in the Diebolt units will have been wasted.  Another fine
> example of your tax dollars at work because some people were paranoid about
> election security.
> 
> Best wishes.
> 
> Bill Outman
> Secretary, Greater Daytona Beach Chapter
> National Federation of the Blind
> 
> 
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