Md. Judge Rules In Ballots-For-The-Blind Lawsuit

BALTIMORE (AP) -- A federal judge in Maryland won't require elections officials to provide online absentee ballots for visually impaired and physically disabled voters in the June 24 primary election.

The Daily Record of Baltimore reports that U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett based his decision Wednesday on concerns from state lawyers about ballot security if the system were to go online for the primary. Bennett ordered a hearing for Aug. 13 and 14 at which attorneys for the state and disabled voters will discuss security issues.

Bennett said that will give him time to rule on whether the online ballots must be used for the Nov. 4 general election. The lawsuit over the ballots is being brought by the Baltimore-based National Federation of the Blind.

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