Ballots for blind residents case heard in court

BRIAN WITTE
Associated Press

BALTIMORE (AP) — A federal judge is hearing arguments on possible online absentee ballots for blind and disabled voters.

Attorneys for the American Federation of the Blind, which filed the lawsuit, on Wednesday tried to persuade U.S. District Judge Richard Bennett to require Maryland to use the ballots in November’s election.

The group is suing the state in the case, which is on an expedited schedule.

However, it was attorneys for the American Council of the Blind in Maryland who argued in court against implementing the Web-based ballot-marking system, saying it is subject to fraud and computer hackers.

In July, the Maryland State Board of Elections voted 3-1 for a ballot-marking system, but four votes were needed for approval of a new voting system.

The court case is schedule to continue on Thursday.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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