* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Conaway
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
Title
Informational Hearing - Making Voting Easier for All
FOR the purpose of requesting that the Baltimore City Board of Elections report to the City Council regarding its plan to help and educate disabled residents regarding absentee ballots and transportation options to get more disabled voters to the polls, as well as what instructional plan is set in place to inform voters on how to operate the new voting machines that are being put to use in the upcoming election.
Body
Recitals
On election day, disabled residents have the challenge of making sure that they are able to vote. More than any other group, disabled voters face situations that make the voting process potentially more difficult than it should be. They may have difficulty obtaining access to voter information as well as getting to and from voting polls. Because the Board of Elections is responsible to insure that local, State, and federal election laws are followed and adhered to as well as to investigate other policy options to make sure that all registered voters are not inhibited from voting in any way, it is important that they have a devised plan of action to aid disabled voters in any way necessary.
In addition to helping disabled voters, there is also the issue of the new voting machines that are to be put to use in the upcoming election. Many voters are used to the old machines and are unsure of what to expect and what they will find when they go to the polls to vote in the upcoming election. The Board of Elections should have an instructional plan, as well as a way of getting the instruction regarding the use of the new machines out to voters. An informational hearing will allow the Board to inform the Council as well as allow the Council to provide feedback on voter understanding of new systems to aid the Board in the distribution and organization of instructional plans.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body requests the Baltimore City Board of Elections report to the City Council regarding its plan to help and educate disabled residents regarding absentee ballots and transportation options in order to get more disabled voters to the polls, as well what instructional plan is set in place to inform voters on how to operate the new voting machines that are being put to use in the upcoming election.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to the Mayor, the Baltimore City Board of Elections, and the Mayor's Legislative Liaison to the Council.
dlr06-0671~intro/01Feb06
ccres/Elections/af
dlr06-0671~intro/01Feb06
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ccres/Elections/af