Accessible Voting in Alabama: Contact ADAP for Assistance
Ensure your voting experience is accessible in Alabama by reaching out to ADAP at the University of Alabama. Contact Nicole Watkins, the Senior Voting Rights Advocate and Outreach Coordinator, for support with voting. ADAP helps individuals with disabilities exercise their right to vote by providing resources and assistance. Get in touch today to make sure your voice is heard in the voting process.
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Presentation Transcript
Accessible Accessible Voting in Voting in Alabama Alabama Contact ADAP Web: adap.ua.edu Phone: (205) 348-6010 Nicole Watkins Senior Voting Rights Advocate and Outreach Coordinator nwatkins@adap.ua.edu
Federal & Federal & State Election State Election Law Law
Federal Election Laws Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) People with disabilities have the right to have assistance when they vote Two people cannot help: The person s employer A representative from the person s union Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) Alabama elections must be fully accessible
Federal Election Laws Help America Vote Act (HAVA) The polling place must have a voting machine voters can use Voting machine must be accessible and provide equal/full opportunity to vote National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) Certain Alabama agencies must provide opportunities for people to register to vote
Accessible parking must be provided with signage, and be the parking nearest to the location Physical Accessibility of Polling Locations The route inside must be accessible for wheelchairs (at least 36 ) Accessible route through hallways, corridors, and interior rooms and restrooms Accessible restrooms What the ADA says about polling locations No protruding objects that could be harmful to blind people Voting area must have accessible entrance and maneuvering space for voters who use mobility devices Accessible doorways (at least 36 ) The ADA Voting Checklist has: Information on how to adapt polling locations to be in compliance Required measurements Signage options Temporary remedies You can find it here: archive.ada.gov/votingchecklist.pdf
Disabled and elderly voters can hop the line The Rights of The Rights of Disabled Disabled Voters Voters If a person is over 70 or have a physical disability, they can ask a poll worker to move them to the front of the line Bear in mind as election workers that mobility disabilities can be invisible **A sign with the above information is a good practice to implement at a polling location; many disabled and elderly voters do not know about this and can be embarrassed to ask for assistance
There is a voting booth time limit (but is often not enforced or needed): The Rights of The Rights of Disabled Disabled Voters Voters Alabama law limits how long a voter can remain in a voting booth If the voter remains in a voting booth for longer than 4 minutes: Poll worker MAY ask the person if they need any help If the person with the disability wants assistance: A poll worker can help the person with the disability if asked A poll worker should maintain a neutral stance, expression, and demeanor and remain nonpartisan if asked for assistance with a ballot The person can have 5 more minutes to vote If the person with the disability does not want help: They may be permitted one more minute to vote If there is no line: The person should be allowed to take as much time as they need to vote
What to do if: The polls close while people are still in line: Voters should stay in line! People have the right to vote if they enter the line before 7pm. A person makes a mistake on their ballot: They can ask a poll worker for a new ballot. Poll workers at a polling place tell a person that they cannot vote there: People have the right to cast a provisional ballot.
Please remember Unless declared, mentally incompetent by a judge, people with disabilities have the right to register and vote in an accessible way It is not up to election workers to determine if a person is mentally competent People with disabilities have the right to receive voting assistance from a person of their choice (excepting their boss or union representative) The accessible voting systems required by the Help America Vote Act must provide the same chance for meaningful participation in the voting process that other voters receive including privacy and independence!
The Accessible Vote The Accessible Vote The importance of privacy when voting ExpressVote Machines should be set up in a way that are accessible, private, and integrated Notifying incoming voters about the ExpressVote machine is good practice This can be a sign over the machine that says what it is or a sign at the entrance to the polling location Election workers can let voters know where the machine is as they are checking people in Election workers may NOT ask voters what their disability is or why they need assistance or the ExpressVote machine The ExpressVote machine should be booted up, turned on, and prepared to be used as the polls open This helps election workers recognize immediately if there are any issues with the machine that need to be addressed
There is no Braille ballot in Alabama; by default, blind voters must ask for assistance with a ballot People with mobility disabilities may struggle to stand for long periods or navigate long hallways People with disabilities deserve respect and dignity Don t Forget: People with disabilities come from all demographics and may not look/behave/move exactly as you might expect Disabled voters may make sudden movements, loud noises, or behave in ways that are not familiar to you People with disabilities may have someone assisting them at the polling location Election workers should always maintain disabled voters dignity, ensuring they feel comfortable and safe in their polling place
Questions? Contact us: Web: adap.ua.edu Phone: (205) 348-6010
