NEWS RELEASE For Immediate Release October 11, 2006

CONTACT Michael Barber, President Des Moines Chapter, National Federation of the Blind of Iowa 1000 Grand Ave., Apt 817 Des Moines, IA  50312 (515) 284-1569 E-mail: m.barber@mchsi.com

 

 

A Secret Ballot for the Blind -- Finally, A Reality

 

A Secret Ballot for the Blind--Finally, A Reality

Des Moines IA (10-6-2006)  The Des Moines Chapter, National Federation of the Blind of Iowa (NFBI) announced that  Polk County Auditor Michael A. Mauro, a longtime advocate of  making our voting system equitable for the disabled will be on hand at the Des Moines Chapter meeting to demonstrate the county's accessible voting machines to Blind attendees on Saturday, October 14 from 1:30-3:30 pm at the Iowa Department for the Blind, 524 4th Street, Des Moines IA.

 

"This will be the very first general election where any Blind person in the state of Iowa, will be able to cast a secret ballot at their polling place." Said Michael Barber, newly elected President of the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa and president of the Des Moines Chapter.   "Iowa has been one of the country's leaders in seeing that all polling places in Iowa have at least one accessible voting machine that will be able to cast a secret ballot for any Blind or Visually Handicapped voter, without sighted assistance.  We have been waiting for this opportunity for far too long."  Said Barber.

 

"Under the Help America Vote Act of 2002, the federal government provided funds and directions to all counties to buy a handicapped accessible voting machine among other changes." said Mike Mauro, Polk County Auditor.  "We took this seriously and began to look at options to make it possible for anyone in Polk County to vote with ease, independence and security."

 

"The new voting machines have head phones and simple keys to allow any user, to quickly go through the ballot, mark the candidate of choice, check the ballot, then print it out on the same ballot and be counted just as all the other ballots." said Barber.  "I used this system during the summer primary election and was amazed at the ease and speed I was able to vote.  And vote all by myself!" he said.  " I have been Blind since birth and have always had to have a sighted person assist me with my ballot.  For me, it was never a "Secret Ballot".

 

"This new piece of equipment allows all citizens to vote in a safe and secure manner. It makes the voting system easier and was way overdue." Mauro stated. 

 

"Anyone interested in looking at and trying out, the new accessible voting machines are welcome to come to the Des Moines NFB Chapter meeting on Saturday, October 14, at 1:30 pm." Said Barber.

 

The Des Moines Chapter, National Federation of the Blind of Iowa is an organization of blind and sighted individuals working to advance the general welfare of the blind of Central Iowa and the nation.  Under the motto, "We are changing what it means to be blind," the organization educates the public about the ability of persons who are blind to lead productive and self-sufficient lives and advocates for the rights of blind people.