Improving Accessibility in Elections
In 2016, the elections department partnered with the Independence Center – a local nonprofit dedicated to supporting independent living for the disabled community in the county – to improve voting accessibility. This included:
- Hosting an open house for the community to practice on accessible voting machines prior to the 2016 Presidential Election.
- Coordinating with the Independence Center to provide disability etiquette training to over 200 election judges for the 2016 Primary and the Presidential Election.
- Using the Independence Center as a voter service and polling center (VSPC) during the 2016 Presidential Election, which provided those with disabilities the opportunity to register and vote in a “highly accessible” center. The center had ASL interpreters on hand, and is also outfitted with several architectural features that facilitate better mobility for a range of disabilities.
Over 450 individuals voted at the Independence Center during the Presidential Election.
Competition Submission (PDF)