In this Blind Vet Tech Quick Guides, News, and Reviews podcast learn about the different voting options available for us blind and visually impaired voters. We also demonstrate the Electoral Services and Software Express Vote. It is our hope that by knowing the available options and accommodations, more of our fellow blind and visually impaired voters will participate in elections.
Voting is the most basic fundamental right our Democratic Republic provides for all of us citizens. However, we still face various barriers to participate in this solum duty. Fortunately disabilities advocates won numerous battles ensuring legislation and statutes protect and encourage our participation. The Department of Justice summarizes these safeguards in this terrific report. Here are a few highlights:
* Americans with Disabilities Act,, through Title II, mandates voter registration, voting locations and machines, and options exist for all individuals regardless of disabilities may vote.
* Voting Rights Act of 1965 permits disabled individuals to select who might assist while voting, including site staff to family members.
* Voting Accessibility for the elderly and handicapped Act of 1984 requires accessible voting locations or alternative arrangements be made available, like curb side.
* National Voters Registration Act of 1993 requires public offices and state services serving largely individuals with disabilities a chance to register to vote.
* Help America Vote Act of 2002 requires every voting site possess at least one accessible voting system.
It is one thing to know the laws safeguarding and promoting our right to vote, it is another to know the different options available to us. Below is a list with explanations of the different options. While these are mandated, each state, county, and poling location may implement each item differently.
* Voter Registration
* States control deadlines for voter registration
* Must be accessible, regardless if its in person or online
* Available at state, city, and various public services offices
* Register or check your registration online at USA.gov or your state’s voter registration portal.
* Absentee and Mail Voting Options
* Must be requested for each election based on state and county requirements
* Permanent mail option exists for individuals with disabilities
* Mail and absentee ballots supersede in person ballot submissions for voters who use mail or absentee voting
* In Person Voting
* May be completed prior to the election at the voting commission’s office
* Curbside voting brings a poling station representative with a ballot to an individual with a disability’s car
* Voter may request assistance with voting from their own identified assistant, official voting commission’s rep, or from volunteers
* Electronic voting machines have large print, audio/screen reading output, and contrast accessibility settings
* IF you experience any voting machine issues, an official representative with voting machine technical experience from your county voting commission must be able to arrive at any poling station within a certain amount of time, so ask.
This is merely the tip of the iceberg related to voting. If you have any questions, contact your local county voting commission. They have the ability to register or check your registration information, explain available options to vote, inform you about poling locations, and much more.
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