Sept. 2020 Est. 1985
The Northside Chronicle
Volume 36 Issue 9 - FREE -
The Community Newspaper of Pittsburgh’s Historic Northside
Pa. completes contract with remote accessible ‘OmniBallot’ in ‘victory’ for blind voters By Ashlee Green A vote-by-mail system that is accessible remotely will be available to blind and low-vision voters for this year's general election. Initiated by a lawsuit filed in May of this year, which alleged that Pennsylvania’s paper ballots denied voters who are blind and low-vision the ability to vote privately and independently without the assistance of a sighted third party, a last-minute “accessible write-in balPhoto by Ashlee Green
A pop-up voter registration table in the Northside’s Mexican War Streets urges passersby to ‘sign up to vote.’ Monday, Oct. 19, 2020 is the last day you can register to vote before the general election. If you’re voting by mail-in ballot, your application must be received by your county’s election office by 5 p.m. on Tuesday, October 27; completed ballots must be received—not just postmarked—by 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 3. More information at votespa.com. n
Photo by cottonbro via Pexels
The Democracy Live OmniBallot tool will be implemented for this year's general election as well as future elections. It uses screen reader technology to allow voters with disabilities to receive and complete their ballots electronically. lot” option was made available for the primary election. This alternative ballot functioned by using screen-reader software. Now, according to a press release, a longterm solution for the November election and future elections is being put in place. According to the press release, the state has completed a contract for the Democracy Live OmniBallot. This online See OmniBallot, Page 19
INSIDE
The future of affordable housing A new Five-Year Affordable Housing Plan drafted by the Fineview and Perry Hilltop Citizens Councils proposes key policy changes and resources for fighting gentrification in the Northside. By Emery Malachowski Proposed changes to affordable land and homeownership in the Northside could allow the neighborhoods themselves to hold greater control of their futures. In July, The Northside Chronicle spoke to members of the Fineview and Perry Hilltop Citizens Councils about a Five-Year Af-
- Tamburitzans Folk Ensemble, Page 8
STORIES, COLUMNS, - Back to School Guide, Page 13 FEATURES & MORE - World War II Veteran, Page 26
fordable Housing Plan for their Northside communities, published in March of this year. In addition to giving an overview of the demographics of the Fineview and Perry Hilltop area and defining what real estate ‘affordability’ looks like there, the FiveYear Affordable Housing Plan proposes the implementation of Community Land Trusts
ONLINE
WWW.THENORTHSIDE CHRONICLE.COM
(or CLTs). Community Land Trusts A community land trust is a community-based organization that “acquires land and maintains ownership of it permanently...” The Affordable Housing Plan explains See Housing, Page 25
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