Your Voting Rights As A Person With A Disability
- The right to vote (if you are otherwise qualified)
- The right to access your polling place
- The right to receive reasonable accommodations for your disability
WHAT KIND OF ASSISTANCE CAN PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES EXPECT?
Vermont’s election laws are designed to make it easy for all eligible Vermonters to vote and to register to vote. One of the specific purposes of the Vermont Election Laws is “to provide equal opportunity for all citizens of voting age to participate in political processes” 17 V.S.A. §2101.
VERMONT’S ACCESSIBLE VOTING SYSTEM
The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) required states to implement voting systems that are accessible for individuals with disabilities and permit voters who are blind or visually impaired to cast their votes privately and independently.
If you have a disability, ask to use the OmniBallot Tablet Accessible Voting System at the polls. This offers you three options – a touchpad on the screen, keypad with braille, or paddle system. Your selections will be printed on the same paper ballot used by voters at the polls. You can also access OmniBallot Online from anywhere so you can complete your ballot, print and return it by mail or in person to the Town/City Clerk during the early voting period. Read more about voting rights as a person with a disability.
IF YOU NEED ACCOMMODATIONS TO ASSIST YOU WITH VOTING
- Contact your Town Clerk to request accommodations
- Bring a person of your choice into the voting booth with you for assistance (not your employer or union representative)
- Ask an election official for assistance with marking your ballot
- Ask an election official to bring a ballot to your car
- Bring a magnifying glass or other devices to help you use the ballot
- Bring a list of candidates into the voting booth to help you
- Ask for another ballot (maximum of 3) if you make a mistake
- Use the Omniballot tablet accessible voting system at the polls
IF YOU EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH VOTING, YOU MAY CONTACT
Disability Rights Vermont
www.disabilityrightsvt.org
141 Main Street, Suite 7, Montpelier, VT 05602
800-834-7890 or 802-229-1355
Vermont Center for Independent Living
www.vcil.org
11 East State Street, Montpelier, VT 05602
802-229-0501 or 800-639-1522 (TTY)
Green Mountain Self Advocates
www.gmsavt.org
2 Prospect Street, Suite 6 Montpelier, VT 05602
800-564-9990 or 802-229-2600
Vermont Secretary of State, Elections Division
https://sos.vermont.gov/elections
128 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05633
800-439-8683 or 802-828-2464
RESOURCES
1. Disability Rights Vermont: Voter’s Guide for People with Disabilities (pending)
2. Disability Etiquette: A Simple Guide to Respectful Communication
3. National Council on Disabilities: Voting Accessibility for People with Disabilities Fact Sheet
Dates for Voting in Vermont
