Text Box: To learn more, visit or call:   Ben Ysursa, Sect. of State (208) 334-2300 http://www.idahovotes.gov/   http://www.projectvote.org/            

 

Text Box: Center on Disabilities and Human Development—EDK 293

Text Box: summer, 2006

Text Box: Volume 5, Issue 1

Text Box: Making Connections

Family Support Project LogoText Box: Visit the nation Project Vote website at: http://www.projectvote.org

Text Box: The intent of Project VOTE! is to increase participation by Idahoans with disabilities and elders in the election process and to increase the awareness among election officials and poll workers about barriers that people face when exercising their right to vote.  According to Mr. Mairs, approximately 3000 votes were cast using accessible voting machines, which represents a combination of individuals with disabilities and others who were becoming familiar with the technology such as poll workers.  The best place to find out about how to use the accessible voting machines is www.idahovotes.gov. You can see the machines and even listen to directions through audio files. If you are not online, call the Secretary of State Office at (208) 334-2300.

Text Box: From The Idaho Statesman, May 30th, 2006   Dear Editor,    I am 59 years old, and have been blind for 50 years.  Tuesday, May 23, I helped in making Idaho history, with a new voting machine for the blind and disabled.  I voted without having to have my ballot read and marked by someone other than myself.  I was thrilled!  Thanks to the National Federation of the Blind across America, and the Congress and Senate, we, the blind, after many years of struggle, now have a way to vote a secret ballot, as it should be.  I would like to say thank you to all those volunteers who were trained to assist in using this machine taking the time to help us. Bill Morgan, Boise

Text Box: In Idaho, Project VOTE! was born:   The Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities, Comprehensive Advocacy, Inc., the ADA Task Force, the Idaho Assistive Technology Project, and the League of Women Voters, with support from the Idaho Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Committee of the Idaho Secretary of State's office came together to develop a training and educational initiative called Project VOTE!  Jim Mairs, HAVA Coordinator with the Secretary of State Office, shared his appreciation for all those who made the recent mid-term elections so successful, including the many poll workers.  “It wouldn’t have gone off so well without this team effort,” according to Mr. Mairs.  

Text Box: Contact the ID Council on Dev. Disabilities via web at http://www.icdd.idaho.gov/ Or call 800-544-2433

Project Vote LogoText Box: What’s HAVA?   The Help America Vote Act of 2002 was passed by Congress and signed by President Bush to help states and counties improve the election process throughout the country.  The law requires the establishment of a statewide voter registration system, increased voter education programs and poll worker training, increased  access to the polls and encourages updating of election systems and equipment in the counties. Text Box:  Making a difference!   Read one person’s experience with voting in America.  Thank you to Mr. Morgan for sharing his perspective on the value of the secret ballot!   “The best public policy is made when you are listening to people who are going to be impacted. Then, once policy is determined, you call on them to help you sell it.”                           — Elizabeth Dole

Text Box: Contact the Secretary of State Office  via web: http://www.idahovotes.gov or call 208 -334-2300

ToasterText Box: www.projectvote.org

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