Provisions for Voters with Disabilities

Maryland's voting system accommodates voters with disabilities by offering an audio ballot. Using headphones, the voter listens to the ballot and records the vote using a keypad. Both the headphones and keypad are provided. To assure the privacy of the voter, the voting unit's screen is blank while the audio ballot feature is being used. A magnified ballot is provided for voters who have low vision. An adjustable screen is available to accommodate voters who prefer or need to sit while voting. To use one of the accessibility options, ask an election judge for a particular option.

Polling places must be accessible to elderly and disabled voters. Federal law required polling places be accessible by 1986. If you are permanently physically disabled and cannot cast your vote at the polling place, you may file a letter from your physician with your city or town clerk, stating that you are permanently unable to cast your vote at the polling place because of physical disability. A completed application for an absentee ballot for you to sign and return will be mailed to you by the city or town clerk at least 28 days before every primary and general election.

If you are visually impaired, physically disabled, or are unable to read or write, you can be assisted.

For more information, you can utilize the American Association of People With Disabilities (AAPD) resource.

Kentucky is required to have a voting machine in each polling place that allows anyone with a disability to cast a ballot free of outside assistance. Nevertheless, if you need assistance due to physical disability, blindness or an inability to read English, you may request voting assistance at the polls on Election Day. Physical disability and blindness are the only two reasons you may apply to the county board of elections for permanent voting assistance. You may receive assistance from someone of your choice or the two election officers at the polls.

Voters have the right to vote in an accessible voting place and request assistance if needed. Each polling place is required to have an electronic voting machine equipped to allow disabled voters, including visually impaired voters, to vote in secret.

For more information, you can utilize the Association of People With Disabilities (AAPD) resource.

The polling place for each precinct must meet accessibility standards under federal law.

The polling place must have facilities accessible to elderly voters and voters with disabilities so that these voters have the same opportunity for access, participation, privacy, and independence available to all voters. This includes:

Numerous provisions are available to aid voters with disabilities. If you are a disabled voter you may request the opportunity to register at home and have registration materials brought to you. You may also request to register to vote by mail.If you are permanently physically disabled, in a nursing home or in a hospital, you may also be eligible for absentee voting.

If you need help marking your ballot because of a disability or because you can't read English, any person you choose may help you, except your employer, your employer's agent or an officer or agent of your union. If you want help from the precinct workers, one person from each political party will help you. You will need to sign a form indicating that you asked for help. All voting instructions at the polls are printed in large type.

You may receive assistance to vote from any person of your choice. You may also ask for assistance from a poll worker. Curbside assistance and home voting is available in special circumstances. Please make arrangements with your county clerk's office in advance. Each polling place in the state will be equipped with a ballot marking device to assist voters who have difficulty reading or marking a ballot vote privately and independently.

If you are a long stay patient at a care home or a patient unexpectedly admitted to a hospital, you are still eligible to vote. To ensure the security and integrity of election related activities at care facilities, staff members are discouraged from participating directly with a voter in the process of registering and/or voting absentee. Staff may assist only upon receiving specific authorization from the resident (voter). When asked by a voter to render assistance, care facility staff must remain nonpartisan and have at least two people NOT of the same political party present.