People with disabilities will now find it easier to vote. On Thursday, Governor John Bel Edwards signed HB 614 into law. This legislation, authored by Rep. Helena Moreno, D-New Orleans, will provide voters with disabilities the opportunity to vote privately and independently via absentee ballot for the first time. “I was honored to author this necessary legislation so that individuals with disabilities will finally gain the independence of filling out their own ballots. This not only enhances voting rights, but also helps reduce fraud,” said Moreno said in a news release. With the signing of this legislation, Louisiana will become one of the first states in the country to make its absentee ballot by mail process accessible to people with disabilities.
Lois Simpson, executive director of the Advocacy Center, stated in a press release: “Thanks to Representative Helena Moreno, Secretary of State Tom Schedler, the Louisiana Legislature, and Governor John Bel Edwards, Louisiana has emerged as a leader in voting rights for people with disabilities, providing them with the independence and privacy we all experience in the voting process.”
When HB 614 is implemented, voters who have submitted proof of their disability will be able to request their absentee ballot be sent via a secure email instead of by mail. These voters will complete their ballots using specialized software on their computer, which will allow them to vote without the assistance of another person. Then, they will print their ballot and return it via mail, fax or in person.
Full Article: American Press – Home.