I am writing in shock and dismay at the blatant ignorance demonstrated by Manchester's registrars of voters, Frank Maffe (D) and Tim Becker (R) ("Special machines will allow blind to vote without assistance," July 23).
I wrote an article shortly after last November's election, and Journal Inquirer staff wrote a follow-up a few days later, clearly proving that not only were Becker and Maffe in direct violation of the law by not offering accessible voting machines in municipal elections, their lame defenses - claiming it was too costly to taxpayers and threatened voter privacy - were also erroneous. Yet they keep spouting the same ignorant rhetoric.
For the record, I was that member of the National Federation of the Blind who interviewed both men, and I informed them about the cost to the town ($100, verified by the secretary of the state's office) and that since I've voted with the IVS system four times, I know the ballot is different and has to be hand counted. I also informed them that, on average, it has taken me less than 15 minutes to vote in the last four elections (I'm totally blind).
If only one person with a disability or dyslexia votes on the machines, it only shows what a lousy job Becker and Maffe are doing. Shouldn't they be promoting voting for everyone? Since they are in charge of voting, if just those two used the system, along with people who are blind or disabled, even if only one other person votes, there will be no privacy issue. None.
The solution is simple, but apparently they don't care enough about America's most fundamental right. They don't care about the disabled. They don't know enough to admit they were wrong and correct their mistake.
Residents of Manchester, I urge you to remember this callousness come Election Day.
Chris Kuell
The writer is president of the Danbury area chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut.