Why the article is helpful
- Reviews voting access for people with disabilities that have been implemented between the 2000 federal election and 2008 federal election
- State requirement changes
- Possible impediments that need to be addressed
Facilities face challenges such as impediments in accessible voting areas that facilitate or impede private and independent voting. This article reviewed voting access for people with disabilities at polling places and long-term care facilities during the 2008 federal election in comparison to 2000’s federal election. The author found that fewer states required some of these accommodations mainly because more states are taking more action in making polling places more accessible. Since the 2000 election, there has been an increase in allowing people to vote absentee without meeting a specific criteria. There has also been an increase in state requirements for polling places to be inspected ensuring accessibility of polling places.
Additional details
During the 2008 federal election, the author found:
- An estimated 15 million voters with disabilities casted ballots
- 27% of polling places have no potential impediments
- 45% of polling places had potential impediments but offered curbside voting
- 27% of polling places had potential impediments and did not offer curbside voting
- All but one polling place that was visited had an accessible voting system
Locations of potential impediments at polling places:
- Outside of or at the building entrance
- Parking area for people with disabilities
- Steep ramps
- Curb cuts in the parking area
- Unpaved or poor surfaces in the path from the parking lot or route to the building entrance
- Door thresholds exceeding 1/2 inch in height
Links to article