Making every vote count.

United StatesElection Assistance Commission

The Technology of Voting

Voters in Long-Term Care Facilities

October 10, 2008

Background

Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA)

Voters who require assistance to vote by reason of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write may be given assistance by a person of the voter’s choice, other than the voter’s employer or agent of that employer or officer or agent of the voter’s union.

Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (VAEHA) [1984]

• Polling place accessibility

• Alternate means of casting a ballot

• Registration and voting aids

• State defines “accessible”

Making every vote count.

United StatesElection Assistance Commission

National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA)

State-funded programs that are primarily engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities must:

• Provide voter registration forms

• Assist in completing and submitting them to the appropriate State official

Making every vote count.

United StatesElection Assistance Commission

Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA)

• Secretary of Health and Human Services payments (HAVA §261):

• Make polling places accessible

• Provide information about the accessibility of polling places

• Voting system standards (HAVA §301):

• Verify the ballot (in a private and independent manner)

• Change the ballot or correct any error (in a private and independent manner)

• At least one DRE or other voting system equipped for individuals with disabilities at each polling place

Making every vote count.

United StatesElection Assistance Commission

Making every vote count.

United StatesElection Assistance Commission

What type of outreach/voting assistance will be provided?

1. Voter registration

2. Absentee ballot request

3. Complete absentee ballot

4. Submit absentee ballot

5. Provide voting opportunity:

a) Provide accessible voting system to cast their vote

b) Establish site as polling place

Absentee Ballot Request Form

GAO-07-741T

Direct Recording Electronic (DRE)

Pushbutton

Direct Recording Electronic (DRE)

Touch screen

Implementation

Making every vote count.

United StatesElection Assistance Commission

Laiza N. OteroDeputy Director of Voting System Testing & Certification

www.eac.gov

Email: lotero@eac.gov Tel: (202) 566-2209Fax: (202) 566-3128