What voters with special needs should know

Federal and state laws are supposed to ensure that voting is accessible, independent and private. But people with disabilities routinely vote at lower rates than their able-bodied peers, and advocates contend that part of the blame lies with uneven training for poll workers.

If you have a disability, here’s what you should know about your Florida voting rights:

You have the right to an accessible polling place with voting machines for people who are blind or have low vision as well as wheelchair-accessible voting booths. Entrances and doorways should be at least 32 inches wide with handrails on all stairs.

You’re allowed to bring your service animal with you into your polling place.

You can bring someone to help you vote -- including a friend, family member, caregiver or assisted-living provider, but not your employer or union representative.

If you go to the polls and have no one to help you, you can have two poll workers assist you. If your voter registration record does not already contain a note that you would like help when voting at the polls, you will have to fill out a declaration saying you need help. The clerk at the polling place can help you fill out the form. The person you choose to help you will also have to fill out a declaration, unless that person is an election staffer.

If you live in an assisted-living facility or nursing home, you can receive a vote-by-mail ballot there, or you may participate in supervised voting if it’s available.

If you have any issue with voting or registering to vote due to a disability, contact the voting hotline of Disability Rights Florida, a leading statewide advocacy group, at 1-800-342-0823, extension 6000.

Also, on Tuesday, the statewide Access The Vote Florida coalition is holding a free “accessibility summit” on Zoom and Facebook Live to discuss voting rights for people with disabilities, access and security issues and advances in voting equipment.

Sources: American Association of People with Disabilities, Orange County Supervisor of Elections, Access the Vote Florida

___

(c)2020 The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.)

Visit The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.) at www.OrlandoSentinel.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.