Accessible Voting Locations

In Ohio, voting locations must be made accessible for people with disabilities.  Under State and Federal law, voters with disabilities must be given the same opportunity for access and participation as any other voter.  You must also be able to vote privately and independently.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) protects people with disabilities from receiving unequal treatment within state and local government services, programs, and activities. (ADA, Title II)  This law protects your right to vote by making sure that voters with disabilities have access to:

• Accessible parking
• An accessible route to the  entrance
• An accessible entrance
• An accessible route  to the voting area
• Voting procedures
• Voting machines

The Help American Vote Act (HAVA) protects the right of people with disabilities to vote by making sure that:

• Voting locations are easy to get to and to use.
• People who are blind or have problems seeing get the help they need.
• Voting is private and personal.
• Each polling location has an accessible voting machine.

Ohio law protects your right to vote by requiring:

• Voting locations to be free of barriers, and nothing should block the entrances or exits.
• Voting locations to have ramps, wide doors, and accessible parking.