FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
SECRETARY OF STATE HUSTED ANNOUNCES GRANTS FOR POLLING LOCATION ACCESSIBILITY IMPROVEMENTS
COLUMBUS – Secretary of State Jon Husted today announced the release of more than $100,000 in grants to county boards of elections to improve access for voters with disabilities through permanent improvements to polling locations. The funds were made available by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the Help America Vote Act.
“We are in a partnership with these counties to ensure better access to the polls for Ohioans with disabilities,” Secretary Husted said. “Together, we are maximizing federal funds and making needed upgrades that may not have been economically feasible without the grant monies.”
In total 20 counties will receive grants, ranging from $40 to more than $15,000, to provide for upgrades and permanent improvements to polling locations in 92 precincts.
Southeast Ohio: Vinton, Washington, Jackson and Athens counties;
East Ohio: Guernsey, Belmont, Muskingum and Harrison counties;
Central Ohio: Pickaway, Madison, Morrow counties;
Northeast Ohio: Lorain, Cuyahoga, Lake, Ashtabula and Stark counties;
Southwest Ohio: Clinton, Fayette and Warren counties, and
Northwest Ohio: Mercer County.
County boards of elections are required to ensure that each polling location is accessible to voters with disabilities. Permanent improvements, such as those funded by this grant program, can reduce ongoing expenses to local government that would otherwise have to provide temporary solutions at these locations for every election.
A complete list of the projects receiving funding is available online at:
PDF - www.ohiosecretaryofstate.gov/SOS/upload/news/20111003.pdf
Excel Spreadsheet - www.ohiosecretaryofstate.gov/SOS/upload/news/20111003.xls
Additional poling location improvement grants may be awarded at a later date.
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For more information, please contact Matt McClellan at 614-995-2168 or mmcclellan@ohiosecretaryofstate.gov.