General:
Electoral law exists on a state level. For information on individual
states, click here.
Specific Inclusion of
People with Disabilities
Disability Law:
(Americans with Disabilities Act, 1990)
Voter Assistance by Other
Citizens
(Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act)
Section 5,
subsection (a) states, "Each State shall make available registration and
voting aids for Federal elections for handicapped and elderly individuals, including
(1) instructions, printed in large type, conspicuously displayed at each permanent
registration facility and each polling place and (2) information by telecommunications
devices for the deaf."
Off-Site Voting Alternatives
(Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act)
Section 5, subsection (b) states, "No notarization or medical certification
shall be required of a handicapped voter with respect to an absentee ballot
or an application for such ballot, except that medical certification may be
required when the certification establishes eligibility, under State law - (1)
to automatically receive an application or a ballot on a continuing basis; or
(2) to apply for an absentee ballot after the deadline has passed.
Promotes Access
(Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act)
Section 3, subsection (a) states, "Within each State, except as
provided in subsection (b), each political subdivision responsible for conducting
elections shall assure that all polling places for Federal elections are accessible
to handicapped and elderly voters."
Section 3, subsection (b) states, "Subsection (a) shall not apply
to a polling place (1) in the case of an emergency, as determined by the chief
election officer of the State; or (2) if the chief election officer of the State-
(A) determines that all potential polling places have been surveyed and no such
accessible place is available, nor is the political subdivision able to make
one temporarily accessible, in the area involved; and (B) assures that any handicapped
or elderly voter assigned to an inaccessible polling place, upon advance request
of such voter (pursuant to procedures established by the chief election officer
of the State) - (i) will be assigned to an accessible polling place, or (ii)
will be provided with an alternate means for casting a ballot on the day of
the election."