Election Day 2024 is fast approaching in the United States. Voting is everyone’s right, including voters with disabilities. Voter accessibility laws and accommodations ensure that all registered voters have the same opportunity to cast their ballot. To prepare for Election Day, explore our guide to voting with a disability, including registration deadlines, voting options and accessibility accommodations.
Laws and Protections for Voters With a Disability
Federal laws protect the rights of voters with a disability to ensure everyone can vote, including:
- Voting Rights Act of 1965: This act states that any voter who needs assistance to vote can receive help from a person of their choice. The few exceptions include an employer or union representative — they cannot assist you with your vote.
- Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984: This law requires polling places, registration and voting aids to be accessible.
- Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990: This law prohibits discrimination based on disability in private and government sectors, including voting. Individuals with disabilities are entitled to the same opportunities and participation in their community.
- Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002: Under HAVA, every jurisdiction must have one accessible voting system at each polling place that offers privacy and independence for voters with disabilities.
These legal protections have had a positive impact on voting with a disability. A 2024 report from the United States Election Assistance Commission on accessible voting experiences revealed the following key impacts of HAVA:
- Increased turnout of voters with disabilities: The turnout of voters with disabilities has increased since 2002. In 2000, the number of voters with disabilities was 16.8% lower than voters without disabilities. In 2020, this figure decreased to 11.3%.
- Improvements in polling place accessibility: Since HAVA offers funding for accessible voting systems, poll worker training and polling place improvements, polls have become more accessible since 2002. Many polls offer various accessible voting equipment options as well as ramps and accessible parking spaces.
- More accessible voting options: Over the years, more states have adopted voting by mail, allowing voters with or without disabilities to exercise their right to vote without going to a poll in person.
How to Register to Vote
You can register to vote using one of these three options:
- Online: In most states, you can register to vote and update your voter registration online. Each state has its own voter registration deadline — search for your state or territory to check your deadline.
- By mail: You can download, print and mail in the National Mail Voter Registration form. Voters with disabilities can have someone help them fill out the form if needed. Mail-in registration is unavailable in Wyoming, North Dakota, New Hampshire and Wisconsin.
- In person: You can register to vote at government offices, such as election offices, state motor vehicle offices and libraries. Voters with disabilities can bring someone to help them register to vote.
How to Vote in 2024 — Your Voting Options
Most states offer several ways to vote on or before Election Day. Choose the option available in your state that’s best for you:
- At the polls: You can vote at your local polling place and use an accessible voting machine to cast your ballot.
- Mail-in: Voting by mail delivers the ballot to you through mail, email or a secure portal. Use a computer, phone or other assistive technology to submit your completed ballot via the portal or mail. Voting by mail has accommodation options like alternative format, alternate signature requirements and an accessible remote ballot marking system.
- Absentee ballot: An absentee ballot allows you to vote by mail if your local polling place is inaccessible or voting from home is best for you. Absentee ballots can have the same accommodations as voting by mail.
Accessibility Accommodations for Voters With Disabilities
Voters with disabilities have the right to vote in an accessible polling place and in private without assistance. Voters can also ask for accommodations to make voting accessible, including:
- Voting assistance: Voters can bring someone to help them vote, as long as the person is not their union representative or employer. They can also ask for help from a poll worker trained to use the accessible voting machine.
- Service animal support: Voters with a service animal have the right to bring them to the polling place.
- Seating: The poll can provide a place to sit or wait in line while seated for voters who have difficulty standing.
- Alternative formats: You can request voting materials in an alternative format. For example, voters with visual impairment can request voting and election materials in large print or audio format.
It’s important to note that you cannot be refused the right to vote because an election worker believes your disability makes you unqualified to vote.
Accessibility accommodations also apply to the venue. Polling locations must have:
- Accessible voting booths: The voting booths must be accessible for voters who use a wheelchair.
- Wide entrances and doorways: All entrances and doorways in the building must be at least 32 inches wide.
- Accessible voting equipment: There must be at least one accessible voting device for voters with visual impairment.
- Stair handrails: Any staircases must have handrails.
- An elevator: If the voting area is on a different floor than the entrance, the polling place must have an elevator.
- Accessible parking places: The parking lot must have accessible parking spots.
If your polling place is not accessible for you, you may cast your vote at a more accessible location. Some states also offer curbside voting — a poll worker brings the voting materials to your car so you don’t need to go inside. Your local election officials can provide additional information about accessibility accommodations so you’re all set for Election Day.
Get Ready for Election Day With Enabling Devices
Since 1978, Enabling Devices has helped people with disabilities participate more fully in the world. We have a wide selection of assistive technology, including:
- Switch-adapted electronics to make electronics accessible via an external capability switch.
- Augmentative and Alternative Communicators (AAC) to enhance interactions and develop language and social skills.
- Sensory products to engage the senses for concentration and relaxation.
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