- From: Kynn Bartlett <kynn@idyllmtn.com>
- Date: Thu, 7 Nov 2002 22:37:14 -0800
- To: "Kynn's Friends" <kynn@kynn.com>
So on Tuesday, after voting, I go to the California Secretary of State web site and start browing around. One of the links was under a blue "wheelchair" sign and said "Know Your Voting Rights." So, okay, that's cool -- the state of California has a special Web page that tells disabled people how to exercise their voting rights. Cool. I read further and discover the page has links like this: "Know Your Voting Rights" Brochure The information in this guide describes the voting rights of those who are elderly or disabled. * Click here to view our on-line version of the "Know Your Voting Rights" brochure (in PDF format) * Click here to order copies of the brochure: Order form for "Know Your Voting Rights" Brochure Well, I wasn't interested in the PDF version (although I did look at it), and I certainly would have preferred an HTML text version. But I went to the order form instead and filled it out. When it asked how many copies of the brochure (which is otherwise available only in HTML) I wanted, I typed in: Number of copies of the brochure you would like: 1 in Braille I then went to the voter information pamphlet page. This is sent out in paper to all citizens, reminding them of the dates, telling them where their polling place is, providing a summary of all initiatives with arguments for and against, and publishing statements from candidates who have supplied them. In other words, it's an essential piece of information to be an informed voter. Unfortunately, it was all in PDF: PDF files of the Voter Information Guide for the November 5, 2002 General Election are available below. The html version of the Voter Information Guide will be available soon. Sigh. But that wasn't the worst of it. Today, I got a phone call... Caller Id read ST OF CA SECRET 916-657-4753: Kynn: "Hello?" ST OF CA SECRET: "Hello, I am calling for...I don't know how to say her [sic] name. Keenuh? Kine?" Kynn: "'Kin.' And that would be me." ST OF CA SECRET: "Ah okay! You went to our Web site and requested a copy of the 'Know your rights' document..." Kynn: "...yes. ST OF CA SECRET: "But you want it in some format called... Bray-lee?" Kynn: "Yes." ST OF CA SECRET: "We have not heard of this bray-lee here. I have checked with my supervisor, and we only have English, not bray-lee." Kynn: "..." ST OF CA SECRET: "Do you want me to send you an English one? I am sorry I cannot help you. What is bray-lee? Do you know? Kynn: "Uh, that's okay. Don't worry about it." *click!* Good lord. No wonder this state is so fucked up. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ -- Kynn Bartlett <kynn@idyllmtn.com> http://kynn.com Chief Technologist, Idyll Mountain http://idyllmtn.com Author, CSS in 24 Hours http://cssin24hours.com
Received on Friday, 8 November 2002 01:38:17 UTC