Provisions for Voters with Disabilities

All people qualified and desiring to vote must be given the opportunity to do so. Therefore, there will be accessible polling places, accessible voting machines, the opportunity for voting by absentee ballot and assistance at any point as a means of accommodation.

If you need help at the polls election officers are ready to assist. You may also bring someone with you to help in the voting process.

You may receive assistance at the polls if you are unable to read the English language or if you have a physical disability that renders you unable to see or mark the ballot, operate the voting equipment, or enter the voting booth. In order to receive assistance, everyone, except those that are blind, must take an oath stating the reason they need assistance.

If you are unable to read or write or, because of a disability, needs assistance in voting, you may designate someone, other than an employer or an officer or agent of your union, to provide such assistance. Election officials may also provide assistance.

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

To vote curbside, a poll worker must be told that you need curbside assistance. When a poll worker is notified that you wish to vote curbside, one of the election officials will bring a ballot to you and provide assistance as needed. It is suggested that you call ahead to let the election officials at the polling site know that you wish to vote curbside. Call 202-727-2525 to obtain the polling place telephone number where you will be voting. Persons with a TDD or TTY device may call 202-639-8916.

All polling places must be accessible. If you require assistance to vote by reason of blindness, disability, or inability to write or to read the ballot, assistance may be given by a person of your choice. This person may accompany you into the voting booth. This can be a person of your choosing but cannot be:

• Your employer
• An agent of such employer
• An officer or agent of your union

A disabled person may, at any time, request a paper ballot for electors with disabilities.

Under HAVA, each polling place must contain a voting system that is accessible for individuals with disabilities, including for visually impaired voters, in a manner that provides the same opportunity for accessibility and participation (including privacy and independence) as for other voters.

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

If you are a qualified voter who is disabled, you may apply for an absentee ballot through a personal representative who can bring the ballot to you. A personal representative can be anyone over 18, except a candidate for office in the election, your employer, an agent of your employer, or an officer or agent of your union. Ballots are available 15 days before the primary, general or statewide special election at any regional elections office.

It is recommended that you contact your county elections official regarding whether or not curbside voting is available at your polling place.

Citizens with disabilities should contact their local county recorder for information about polling place access, early voting, assistance at the polling place and all other election related procedures.

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

Any voter who wishes to have assistance is entitled to help. You may ask anyone (except your employer, an agent of the employer, or an officer or agent of the voter's union) to provide that assistance for you. If you do not request a specific individual, a poll worker may assist you at your request. Polling places should be accessible to people with disabilities. If your specific disability is not accommodated, please contact your county's board of elections.