2022 - Winner for Improving Accessibility for Voters with Disabilities

The Franklin County Board of Elections Early Vote Center (EVC) occupies three interconnected rooms with approximately 16,000 sq. ft. of space necessary to accommodate 870,000 registered voters. Given the size and scale of the EVC, staff recognized the need to designate a space to better serve voters with mobility issues. Consequently, a voter ADA Station was created so that voters could bypass the substantially longer route through the EVC and to provide better accessibility. The ADA Station was located immediately inside of the main entrance and equipped with seating so that voters would not have to stand or walk far to use voting equipment. It initially consisted of two check-in stations, three ADA accessible voting kiosks, and it was managed by a team of Board staff to provide additional assistance. Due to popularity, the station was expanded to 12 additional kiosks. Adding this service did not increase election costs. Existing staff, equipment, and materials were reallocated to create the ADA Station as a subset of the larger EVC. Our office received numerous compliments from voters, observers, and activists sharing their appreciation and encouraging us to incorporate this as a permanent part of the EVC.