[nfb-talk] independent voting and the blind

[Ray Foret jr]

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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