Thread by @dufort_jeanne

Live from the GA State Election Board meeting. Public comments begin with Judy Pressley, who is visually impaired, criticizing how the accessibility features are set up - she says instructions reference colors - which are meaningless for her.

If GA is forcing all voters to use ballot marking devices, based on equal access, yet the accessibility accomodations are sub-standard - what is the point?
Next speaker says his iPad app cannot read the 8pt type on the ballot, so he cannot verify his ballot.

One reason most jurisdictions take time to roll out new systems, and evaluate them in person, is to be able to check that all function work optimally. Clearly, this system has distressing flaws for visually impaired voters.

Libby Seger from GSU has sharp words. Calls @GaSecofState out for the Tic Toc challenge. "we demand you do your jobs"

John Peterson asks "what is your plan to protect ballot secrecy?"
@dominionvoting tablets do not comply with the law.
Tells the SEB - you cannot ask counties to follow laws faithfully, while requiring them to use voting machines that violate our constitutional rights.

Next speaker is a Georgia voter, currently studying at Georgetown University, who flew in to advocate for ballot secrecy. Leave the tablets in the warehouse. Georgians deserve an election board that doesn't silence Georgia voters.

Bothered by clapping and cheers for the student speakers, @GaSecofState calls for quiet - meeting decorum.

Next student says - I am fluent in many languages, but I cannot read QR codes.
You can scan them once, or 1000X - it will be the same result.
Voters will not know their votes are counted as cast.

Voting should not be an endurance test.
In Nov 2018, lines were 3+ hours. @GaSecofState has said no voter should weight more than 30 minutes.
So why is the SEB considering a rule that will reduce voting booths by 1000 compared to Nov 2018.
Longer lines will discourage voters.

Another student addresses long lines. Asks why are you considering a rule that will put out fewer voting booths, not more.
Working people cannot take hours to vote.

Next student: for the past 2 weeks we have been registering voters and working to get students engaged in the Democratic process.
Absentee mail voting is a great option for some students.
Being able to vote in secrecy helps. And many don't trust the machines.

Student from Clark Atlanta University: happy black history month.
Trust the vote!
Define the vote as the one humans can read.
SEB member David Worley says QR code is the official vote.
Wrong.

@AileenSN reminds the SEB that you can't comply with ballot secrecy laws by breaking election security laws.
We voters want vote in secrecy, o a secure system, and know our votes are counted as cast.

@Sustain_Joy
Addresses the model layouts provided by the SOS to counties.
Shows a to-scale model that takes into account all voting equipment, and ADA access.
Don't make counties risk breaking the law - tell them they can use #HandMarkedPaperBallots for the upcoming elections.

@populational tells the SEB about her experience observing elections.
Asserts many polling places cannot fit the number of voting booths required by law.

Joseph Kirk, election supervisor from Bartow County, speaks in favor of recount rule - scanning again. Says his department will be auditing all elections. He was part of the November pilot project.

@VoterGa reminds the SEB that he has been calling for fair elections for 18 years.
Urges that recounts be manual, not just scanning QR codes.

@Saira_Fa voter protection director for @GeorgiaDemocrat
Asks that every polling place have enough equipment - both poll pads and BMDs.
Urges additional @dominionvoting techs be available.
Every piece of equipment failed at some time - and voting stopped.

@BrennanCenter
Concerns about deviating from 1 per 250 voter rule.
Has given SEB data about impact on wait times.
Appreciative of 10% emergency ballots - provided analysis that 25% minimum is better.
Affirms using them for 30 min wait times.

@Brambleman
Has been monitoring DeKalb elections for several years.
DeKalb ethics board was declared unconstitutional because members were not ratified by elected officials.
Says all local election boards are illegal, if members were not approved properly.

@TindallSara
Former DPG voter protection director.
Discussion of #HB316 centered on verifiability of paper ballots.
Challenges QR code scan for recounts.
Add mandatory audit for any race that goes to recount.

Another voter questions security of a system with tens of thousands of blue tooth devices.
"Mom - it's called blue-jacking. Look it up!"
Also outraged about local costs.
Who"s getting all this money - talking about annual fees.

Another visually impaired voter: we told you the assistive technology did not work, yet here we are - you chose @dominionvoting system anyway.
Yet here we are.
Voters who need assistance should not have to bring their own devices.
Voter suppression is real in Georgia.