In recent years, states have begun offering increased opportunities for absentee voting in order to improve convenience for all voters.  However, these efforts have largely ignored both the needs of people with disabilities who want to vote absentee and potential barriers to ballot integrity.  This article discusses ways to simultaneously improve accessibility of absentee voting and allow people with disabilities to cast votes independently.

The authors suggest a multi-pronged approach which includes:

• Simplifying the application process for becoming an absentee voter.
• Offering permanent absentee voter status for people with long-term disabilities, eliminating the need for people to reapply for every election.
• Providing guidance to caregivers, making clear the difference between assistance and coercion.

Links

• American Bar Association