Resolution 2021-02 Concerning Voting by Mail in Florida

Whereas, the Florida Legislature passed Senate Bill 90 (SB90), a bill making changes to the Vote By Mail process; and

Whereas, one provision of the bill requires eligible voters to register for mail-in ballots each year, regardless of whether they voted by mail in the previous election; and

Whereas, voter registration and voting materials are inaccessible to the blind and print disabled; and

Whereas, SB90 reduces the availability of drop boxes for mail-in ballots and removes drop boxes when early voting closes; and

Whereas, lack of adequate drop box locations infringes upon the rights of blind and print disabled voters to cast their ballots; and

Whereas, requiring individuals who drop off ballots for others, to share the same address as the voter utilizing mail-in ballots creates a barrier for voters with transportation or mobility challenges to vote; now, therefore

BE IT RESOLVED by the National Federation of the Blind of Florida in convention assembled this ___ day of October 2021, in the City of Tampa, Florida, this organization condemns and deplores the passage of this legislation by the Florida legislature and its signing into law by Governor Ron Desantis; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by this organization that the Department of State and all county Supervisors of Elections make provisions to ensure the blind and print disabled may exercise their right to securely vote by mail; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Department of State and all county Supervisors of Elections collaborate with the National Federation of the Blind of Florida to guarantee that blind and print disabled voters have equal access to the vote by mail process.