For voters who are blind or visually impaired, using a printed ballot is challenging at best.
There are three options: 1. Use a friend or relative to help you fill it out and sign the envelope; 2. You fill it out on your accessible computer, but then you have to print it out to sign it and the envelope; and 3. Go to the elections office to use an AVU (accessible voting unit). But you have to find transportation to get there.
We have submitted legislation to establish an accessible voting portal that was blocked by Common Cause, the League of Women Voters, Free Speech for People and representatives from the secretary of state’s office. We have tried working with the secretary of state to solve transportation issues, inadequate access to AVUs and other issues. We still have no resolution to our ongoing needs.
So, we are now making this issue public. We are asking you to help us move forward.
