This is the accessible text file for GAO report number GAO-02-107 
entitled 'Voters With Disabilities: Access to Polling Places and 
Alternative Voting Methods' which was released on October 15, 2002. 

This text file was formatted by the U.S. General Accounting Office 
(GAO) to be accessible to users with visual impairments, as part of a 
longer term project to improve GAO products' accessibility. Every 
attempt has been made to maintain the structural and data integrity of 
the original printed product. Accessibility features, such as text 
descriptions of tables, consecutively numbered footnotes placed at the 
end of the file, and the text of agency comment letters, are provided 
but may not exactly duplicate the presentation or format of the 
printed version. The portable document format (PDF) file is an exact 
electronic replica of the printed version. We welcome your feedback. 
Please E-mail your comments regarding the contents or accessibility 
features of this document to Webmaster@gao.gov. 

This is a work of the U.S. government and is not subject to copyright 
protection in the United States. It may be reproduced and distributed 
in its entirety without further permission from GAO. Because this work 
may contain copyrighted images or other material, permission from the 
copyright holder may be necessary if you wish to reproduce this 
material separately. 

United States General Accounting Office: 
GAO: 

Report to Congressional Requesters: 

October 2001: 

Voters With Disabilities: 

Access to Polling Places and Alternative Voting Methods: 

GAO-02-107: 

Contents: 

Letter: 

Results in Brief: 

Background: 

State Provisions and County Practices for Assuring Voting: 

Accessibility Vary Widely: 

Most Polling Places Have Features That May Impede Access, but Most 
Also Provide Accommodations That May Facilitate Voting: 

A Variety of Challenges Face States and Counties as They Work Toward 
Improving Access to Voting: 

Appendixes: 

Appendix I: Scope and Methods: 

Analysis of State Laws and Written Policies: 

Data Collection From States, Counties, and Selected National 
Organizations: 

Selection of Polling Places: 

Description of Site Visits and the Data Collection Instrument: 

Analysis of Election Day Data: 

Appendix II: Polling Place Accessibility Data Collection Instrument: 

Appendix III: People and Counties Contacted During Our Review: 

Appendix IV: State Provisions Concerning Voting Accessibility: 

Appendix V: Selected Potential Impediments by Location Area: 

Appendix VI: Issues and Challenges Related to Voting Accommodations 
and Alternatives: 

Appendix VII: GAO Contacts and Staff Acknowledgments: 

Tables: 

Table 1: State Provisions Concerning Accessibility of Polling Places: 

Table 2: State Practices in Assuring and Improving Polling Place 
Accessibility: 

Table 3: State Provisions for Alternative Voting Methods and 
Accommodations: 

Table 4: Prevalence of Potential Impediments by Type of Building: 

Table 5: Potential Challenges Posed by Various Voting Methods: 

Table 6: Comparison of Election Day and Non-Election Day Data: 
Percentage of Polling Places With Potential Impediments in Two Areas: 

Table 7: Representatives of Election Offices in 50 States and the 
District of Columbia: 

Table 8: Alphabetical Listing of 100 Randomly Selected Counties: 

Table 9: State Provisions Concerning Polling Place Accessibility,
Accommodation of Voting Booth Areas and Equipment, and Aids for 
Visually Impaired Voters: 

Table 10: State Provisions Concerning Alternative Voting Methods or  
Accommodations On or Before Election Day: 

Figures: 

Figure 1: Prevalence of Potential Impediments at Polling Places and 
Availability of Curbside Voting: 

Figure 2: Key Features at Polling Places: 

Figure 3: Prevalence of Potential Impediments at Polling Places and 
Availability of Curbside Voting: 

Figure 4: Percentage of Polling Places With Potential Impediments That 
Offer Curbside Voting: 

Figure 5: Percentage of All Polling Places by Number of Potential 
Impediments: 

Figure 6: Voting Methods Used at Polling Places: 

Abbreviations: 

ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990: 

ANSI: American National Standards Institute: 

DCI: data collection instrument: 

DOD: Department of Defense: 

DOJ: Department of Justice: 

FEC: Federal Election Commission: 

NACO: National Association of Counties: 

NACRC: National Association of County Recorders and Clerks: 

NASED: National Association of State Election Directors: 

NASS: National Association of Secretaries of State: 

VAEHA: Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act: 

VRA: Voting Rights Act of 1965: 

[End of section] 

United States General Accounting Office: 
Washington, D.C. 20548: 

October 15, 2001: 

The Honorable Tom Harkin:
Chairman: 
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education: 
Committee on Appropriations: 
United States Senate: 

The Honorable John McCain: 
Ranking Minority Member: 
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation: 
United States Senate: 

The Honorable Mitch McConnell: 
Ranking Minority Member: 
Committee on Rules and Administration: 
United States Senate: 

Voting is the foundation of our American democratic system, and 
federal law generally requires access to voting on Election Day for 
people with disabilities. Under the law, state political subdivisions 
responsible for conducting elections must assure that polling places 
used in federal elections are accessible, as determined by the state. 
[Footnote 1] Exceptions are allowed if the state determines that all 
potential polling places have been surveyed and no accessible place is 
available, and the political subdivision cannot make one temporarily 
accessible.[Footnote 2] In these cases, voters with disabilities who 
are assigned to inaccessible polling places must be, upon advance 
request, either reassigned to an accessible polling place or provided 
another means for voting on Election Day.[Footnote 3] These 
requirements present a challenge to state and local election officials 
because achieving accessibility—which is affected by the type of 
impairment and various barriers posed by polling place facilities and 
voting methods—is part of a larger set of challenges they face in 
administering elections on a periodic basis. 

Because nationwide information on the accessibility of voting for 
people with disabilities is dated and has significant limitations, you 
asked us to study voting access for people with disabilities, 
including access to polling places and alternative voting methods. 
This study is part of a broader body of GAO work about election 
procedures and election reform issues that we are doing at the request 
of various members of the Congress. This report (1) examines state and 
local provisions and practices for assuring voting accessibility, both 
at polling places and with respect to alternative voting methods and 
accommodations;[Footnote 4] (2) estimates the proportion of polling 
places with features that might facilitate or impede access, including 
features of polling booths and voting accommodations; and (3) 
identifies efforts and challenges to improving voting accessibility. 
[Footnote 5] 

To examine provisions for assuring voting accessibility, we reviewed 
state statutes and regulations pertaining to voting accessibility—both 
at polling places and with respect to alternative voting methods—for 
all 50 states and the District of Columbia. We also reviewed written 
policies and other guidelines that we identified or were provided by 
chief election officials for all states, the District of Columbia, and 
a statistical sample of 100 counties, selected to be representative of 
all counties in the contiguous United States with the exception of 
those in Oregon.[Footnote 6] (The county selection process is 
described later in this section.) In addition, we interviewed election 
officials in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and in the 100 
counties in our sample to identify practices for assuring voting 
accessibility.[Footnote 7] However, we did not verify the 
implementation of state and county provisions or practices. 

To estimate the proportion of polling places in the contiguous United 
States with features that might facilitate or impede access for people 
with mobility, dexterity, and visual impairments, we visited randomly 
selected polling places across the country on Election Day (Nov. 7, 
2000). We used a two-stage sampling method that created a nationally 
representative sample of polling places in the contiguous United 
States.[Footnote 8] The first stage involved randomly selecting 100 
counties. We based the probability of each county's selection on the 
size of its voting age population so that heavily populated counties, 
which tend to have more polling places than less-populated counties, 
would have a greater chance of being included in the sample. The 
second stage involved randomly selecting eight polling places in each 
county. We then visited no less than 3 and up to 8 polling places per 
county, for a total of 496 polling places on Election Day.[Footnote 9] 
At each polling place, using a composite of various federal and 
nonfederal accessibility guidelines,[Footnote 10] we took measurements 
and made observations of features of the facility and voting methods 
that could potentially impede access—such as no accessible parking, 
steep ramps, high door thresholds, and voting booths that did not 
accommodate voters in wheelchairs. We also interviewed poll workers in 
charge of the polling place to identify accommodations offered at the 
polling place—such as curbside voting outside the polling place, and 
poll worker assistance and other voter aids inside the voting room. We 
documented our observations and interviews with poll workers in a data 
collection instrument we developed. However, because the extent to 
which any given feature may affect access is dependent upon numerous 
factors—-including the type or severity of an individual's disability-—
we were not able to determine whether any observed feature prevented 
access. Accordingly, we do not categorize polling places as 
"accessible" or "inaccessible." Moreover, we were not able to 
determine whether curbside voting or other accommodations offered at 
polling places actually facilitated voting. Finally, we did not assess 
whether our observations on Election Day were consistent with state 
and county provisions or practices. 

To identify efforts and challenges to improving voting access, we 
interviewed election officials in all 50 states, the District of 
Columbia, and the 100 counties in our sample to obtain their views on 
the challenges associated with improving the accessibility of polling 
places and voting equipment.[Footnote 11] We also interviewed selected 
election officials and representatives of disability organizations to 
obtain their views on the costs of accessible voting equipment and the 
extent to which alternative voting methods and accommodations improve 
access for voters with disabilities. 

See appendix I for more information on our methods; appendix II for a 
copy of our data collection instrument; and appendix III for a list of 
the people, counties, states, and organizations we contacted. 

We performed our work from May 2000 to July 2001 in accordance with 
generally accepted government auditing standards. 

Results in Brief: 

All states[Footnote 12] have provisions (in the form of statutes, 
regulations, or policies) that specifically address voting by people 
with disabilities. However, consistent with the broad discretion 
afforded states, these provisions vary greatly. For example, our 
review of state provisions shows that while 42 states have established 
standards by which to judge the accessibility of polling places, the 
number and specificity of these standards vary from state to state, 
and the remaining 9 states have not established specific accessibility 
standards. State laws and policies also vary on how counties are to 
assure accessibility of polling places. For example, while some states 
require counties to inspect polling places for accessibility, many do 
not. Nevertheless, our survey of counties confirms that most counties 
inspect all polling places for accessibility. Our county survey also 
shows that county practices for assuring accessibility vary. For 
example, while some counties cite accessibility as a specific 
criterion used in selecting polling places, others do not. 

All states provide for one or more alternative voting methods or 
accommodations that may facilitate voting by people with disabilities 
whose assigned polling places are inaccessible. For example, all 
states have provisions allowing voters with disabilities to vote 
absentee without requiring notary or medical certification 
requirements, although the deadlines and methods (for example, by mail 
or in person) for absentee voting vary among states. In addition, many 
states, but not all, have laws or policies that provide for other 
accommodations and alternatives for voting on or before Election Day—
such as reassignment to a polling place that is accessible, curbside 
voting, or early voting. 

On Election Day 2000, we made onsite observations and collected data 
at polling places on features that may facilitate or impede access for 
those individuals with disabilities who prefer to vote at the polls in 
the same manner as the general public. (Polling places are generally 
located in schools, libraries, churches, and town halls, as well as 
other facilities.) Although the extent to which any given feature may 
prevent or facilitate access is unknown, we estimate that, from the 
parking area to the voting room, 16 percent of all polling places in 
the contiguous United States[Footnote 13] have no potential 
impediments, 56 percent have one or more potential impediments but 
offer curbside voting, and 28 percent have one or more potential 
impediments and do not offer curbside voting.[Footnote 14] (See figure 
1.) These potential impediments would primarily affect individuals 
with mobility impairments. Such potential impediments occur most often 
on the route from the parking area to the building or at the entrance 
to the polling place, with more than half of all polling places having 
impediments in these areas. Inside the voting room, the types and 
arrangement of voting equipment used may also pose challenges for 
people with mobility, vision, or dexterity impairments. To facilitate 
voting inside the voting room, polling places generally provide 
accommodations, such as voter assistance, magnifying devices, and 
voting instructions or sample ballots in large print. However, none of 
the polling places that we visited had special ballots or voting 
equipment adapted for blind voters.[Footnote 15] 

Figure 1: Prevalence of Potential Impediments at Polling Places and 
Availability of Curbside Voting: 

[Refer to PDF for image: pie-chart] 

Percentage of polling places with no potential impediments: 16%; 
Percentage of polling places with one or more potential impediments 
that offer curbside voting: 56%; 
Percentage of polling places with one or more potential impediments 
that do not offer curbside voting: 28%. 

Note: These potential impediments are located along the route from the 
parking area to the voting room. 

Source: GAO analysis of polling place data collected on Nov. 7, 2000. 

[End of figure] 

A number of efforts have been made by states and localities to improve 
voting accessibility for people with disabilities, such as modifying 
polling places, acquiring new voting equipment, and expanding voting 
options.Nevertheless, state and county election officials we surveyed 
cited a variety of challenges to improving access. Election officials 
cited the limited availability of accessible facilities as one major 
challenge. Facilities used as polling places, such as schools and 
churches, are generally owned or controlled by public or private 
entities not responsible for running elections, complicating attempts 
to make polling places more accessible. In addition, some election 
officials indicated that funding constraints at the local level pose 
another challenge, hindering the acquisition of voting equipment that 
is more accessible. Finally, expanding the availability of alternative 
voting methods or accommodations can provide voters with additional 
options but implementing these changes can present election officials 
with legal, administrative, and operational challenges. Moreover, some 
disability advocates believe that although alternative voting methods 
and accommodations, such as curbside voting, expand options for voters 
with disabilities, they do not provide the same voting opportunities 
afforded the general public (that is, the opportunity to vote 
independently and privately at a polling place) and should not be 
viewed as permanent solutions for inaccessible polling places. 

Although improving access for voters with disabilities presents 
challenges for state and local election officials, this issue warrants 
attention and consideration, particularly in light of recent 
nationwide discussions over election reform. While our report does not 
take a position on what the appropriate access policy should be, as 
the Congress and other policymakers at all levels of government 
consider measures aimed at improving the accuracy of elections and the 
ability of American citizens to participate in the electoral process, 
it would be appropriate to consider how such reforms could affect 
access for people with disabilities. 

We provided a copy of our draft report to selected representatives of 
national organizations representing state and county election 
officials and people with disabilities;[Footnote 16] the Department of 
Justice; and the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance 
Board (the Access Board) for their review. Overall, the reviewers 
stated that our report presented information on access to polling 
places and alternative voting methods in a fair and balanced manner. 
In some cases, the reviewers provided technical comments or made 
specific suggestions to improve the clarity of the report. We 
incorporated their comments where appropriate. 

Background: 

Holding federal elections in the United States is a massive 
enterprise, administered primarily at the local level. On Election 
Day, millions of voters visit polling places across the country, which 
are located in schools, recreation centers, churches, various 
government buildings, and even private homes.[Footnote 17] For the 
2000 election, counties and other local jurisdictions deployed about 
1.4 million poll workers and more than 700,000 voting machines to 
polling places across the country.[Footnote 18]Each of the 50 states 
and the District of Columbia also play a role in elections, by 
establishing election laws and policies and providing oversight in 
their respective states. The federal government's role in the 
administration of elections is fairly limited. The Federal Election 
Commission (FEC) is generally responsible for regulating the financing 
of elections, serving as a clearinghouse for information on elections, 
and providing advice and assistance to state and local election 
administrators.[Footnote 19] 

While federal elections are generally conducted under state laws and 
policies, a few federal laws apply to voting and some provisions 
specifically address accessibility issues for voters with 
disabilities.[Footnote 20] Most notably, the Voting Accessibility for 
the Elderly and Handicapped Act (VAEHA), enacted in 1984, requires 
that political subdivisions responsible for conducting elections 
assure that all polling places for federal elections are accessible to 
elderly voters and voters with disabilities.[Footnote 21] Two 
exceptions are allowed: (1) in the case of an emergency as determined 
by the chief election officer of the state, and (2) when the chief 
election officer of the state determines that all potential polling 
places have been surveyed and no such accessible place is available, 
nor is the political subdivision able to make one temporarily 
accessible in the area involved. Any elderly voter or voter with a 
disability assigned to an inaccessible polling place, upon his or her 
advance request, must be assigned to an accessible polling place or be 
provided with an alternative means for casting a ballot on the day of 
the election.[Footnote 22] Under the VAEHA, the definition of 
"accessible" is determined under guidelines established by the state's 
chief election officer, but the law does not specify what those 
guidelines shall contain or the form those guidelines should take. The 
VAEHA also contains provisions to make absentee voting more accessible 
and provides for voting aids at polling places.[Footnote 23] 

The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) also applies to 
voting. Title II of the ADA and implementing regulations require that 
people with disabilities have access to basic public services, 
including the right to vote; however, it does not strictly require 
that all polling place sites be accessible.[Footnote 24] Under the 
ADA, public entities must make reasonable modifications in policies, 
practices, or procedures to avoid discrimination against people with 
disabilities. Moreover, no individual with a disability may, by reason 
of the disability, be excluded from participating in or be denied the 
benefits of any public program, service, or activity. State and local 
governments may comply with ADA accessibility requirements in a 
variety of ways, such as by redesigning equipment, reassigning 
services to accessible buildings or alternative accessible sites, or 
altering existing facilities or constructing new ones.[Footnote 25] 
However, state and local governments are not required to take actions 
that would threaten or destroy the historic significance of an 
historic property, fundamentally alter the nature of a service, or 
impose undue financial and administrative burdens. Moreover, a public 
entity is not required to make structural changes in existing 
facilities where other methods are effective in achieving 
compliance.[Footnote 26] In choosing between available methods of 
complying with the ADA, state and local governments must give priority 
to the choices that offer services, programs, and activities in the 
most integrated setting appropriate. 

Title III of the ADA covers commercial facilities and places of 
"public accommodation" such as restaurants, private schools, and 
privately operated recreation centers.27 Such facilities may also be 
used as polling places. Under Title III, public accommodations must 
make reasonable modifications in policies, practices, or procedures to 
facilitate access for individuals with disabilities.[Footnote 28] They 
are also required to remove physical barriers in existing buildings 
when it is "readily achievable" to do so, that is, when it can be done 
without much difficulty and expense, given the public accommodation's 
resources. In the event that removal of an architectural barrier 
cannot be accomplished easily, the accommodation may take alternative 
measures to facilitate accessibility.[Footnote 29] All buildings newly 
constructed by public accommodations and commercial facilities must be 
readily accessible; alterations to existing buildings are required to 
the maximum extent feasible to be readily accessible to individuals 
with disabilities, including those who use wheelchairs.[Footnote 30] 

Finally, the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) provides that any voter 
requiring 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...."[Footnote 31] 

Although these federal laws support the right to vote for persons with 
disabilities, concerns continue to be expressed about voting 
opportunities for people with disabilities. One recent study reported 
that people with disabilities were about 15 percent less likely to 
vote than those without disabilities-—even after controlling for 
demographic and other factors related to voting-—and suggested that 
voting behavior of people with disabilities is affected by access to 
polling places.[Footnote 32] According to a recent analysis of Census 
data, nearly 1 out of 5 Americans has some type of disability, and 
more than 1 in 10 has a severe disability. For Americans 65 and over, 
54.5 percent have a disability and 37.7 percent have a severe 
disability.[Footnote 33] 

Such concerns about voting opportunities have prompted action on the 
part of policymakers and other interested parties. For example, 
members of the Congress recently proposed several amendments to the 
VAEHA that were intended to improve voting access.[Footnote 34] In 
addition, the Election Center's National Task Force on Accessible 
Elections, composed of state and local election officials and 
representatives of disability organizations, met in 1999 and issued a 
guidebook to assist local election officials in improving voting 
access.[Footnote 35] Furthermore, following reports that elderly 
voters were unable to decipher ballots and that voting equipment 
created overcounts and undercounts in the 2000 election, members of 
the Congress and other policymakers have proposed a number of election 
reforms, including provisions for further improving voting access for 
people with disabilities.[Footnote 36] Finally, the FEC has been 
working toward incorporating accessibility standards for electronic 
voting equipment into the update of its 1990 voluntary standards for 
computer-based voting equipment.[Footnote 37] In addition, the IEEE-SA 
Standards Board has recently approved a project to develop a standard 
by which electronic voting equipment may be evaluated for, among other 
things, accessibility.[Footnote 38] 

State Provisions and County Practices for Assuring Voting 
Accessibility Vary Widely: 

Considerable variation exists in how states and counties attempt to 
meet the needs of voters with disabilities, both at polling places and 
through alternative methods of voting. Consistent with the VAEHA, all 
states and the District of Columbia have established provisions that 
address voting accessibility at polling places. However, state 
provisions vary in a number of ways, including whether these 
provisions take the form of statute or regulation, which carry the 
force and effect of law, or whether they exist only in policy. 
Similarly, states and counties vary in how they select, inspect, and 
modify polling places to assure their accessibility. Finally, if some 
polling places are not or cannot be made readily accessible, all 
states have provisions for voters with disabilities to vote absentee 
either on or before Election Day. Many but not all states also have 
provisions for other alternative voting methods or accommodations to 
facilitate voting by people with disabilities on or before Election 
Day. 

State Provisions for Addressing Accessibility of Polling Places Vary 
Widely: 

All states have laws and other provisions concerning voting access for 
people with disabilities, including their access to polling places, 
but the extent and manner in which these provisions promote 
accessibility vary from state to state. This variation is consistent 
with the VAEHA, which requires that states establish guidelines but 
does not prescribe what those guidelines should contain. We found that 
state provisions vary in several ways, including the type or nature of 
the voting access provision and whether they exist in statutes or 
regulations—which carry the force and effect of law—or in policy 
documents. For example, table 1 shows that 36 states have a statute or 
regulation stating that all polling places should be accessible, 7 
states have a policy that requires or suggests that all polling places 
be accessible, and 8 states have no such provisions. Similarly, while 
some states have statutes or regulations covering Braille or large-
type ballots or magnifiers for visually impaired voters, the majority 
of states have no such provisions. Overall, we found that some states 
have numerous provisions addressing voting and polling place 
accessibility, while some states have very few. (See appendix IV, 
tables 9 and 10, for a detailed listing of each state's provisions.) 

Table 1: State Provisions Concerning Accessibility of Polling Places: 

Voting accessibility: 

State provision: Voting by people with disabilities explicitly 
addressed; 
Number of states: with provisions: 
Statute or regulation: 51; 
Policy only[A]: 0; 
Number of states with no provision: 0. 

Polling place accessibility: 

State provision: All polling places must/should be accessible; 
Number of states: with provisions: 
Statute or regulation: 36; 
Policy only[A]: 7; 
Number of states with no provision: 8. 

State provision: State provisions contain one or more polling place 
accessibility standards; 
Number of states: with provisions: 
Statute or regulation: 23; 
Policy only[A]: 19; 
Number of states with no provision: 9. 

State provision: Inspection of polling places to assess accessibility 
is required; 
Number of states: with provisions: 
Statute or regulation: 15; 
Policy only[A]: 14; 
Number of states with no provision: 22. 

State provision: Reporting by counties to state on polling place 
accessibility is required; 
Number of states: with provisions: 
Statute or regulation: 10; 
Policy only[A]: 10; 
Number of states with no provision: 31. 

Voting booth areas and equipment: 

State provision: Voting booth areas must/should accommodate 
wheelchairs; 
Number of states: with provisions: 
Statute or regulation: 17; 
Policy only[A]: 16; 
Number of states with no provision: 18. 

State provision: Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals 
with disabilities; 
Number of states: with provisions: 
Statute or regulation: 13; 
Policy only[A]: 11; 
Number of states with no provision: 27. 

Aids for visually impaired voters: 

State provision: Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be 
provided; 
Number of states: with provisions: 
Statute or regulation: 3; 
Policy only[A]: 3; 
Number of states with no provision: 45. 

State provision: Ballots with large type must/may be provided; 
Number of states: with provisions: 
Statute or regulation: 2; 
Policy only[A]: 2; 
Number of states with no provision: 47. 

State provision: Magnifying instruments must/may be provided; 
Number of states: with provisions: 
Statute or regulation: 7; 
Policy only[A]: 15; 
Number of states with no provision: 29. 

[A] Policies for a particular provision were identified only if a 
state did not have either a statute or regulation for that provision. 

Source: GAO analysis of statutes, regulations, and other written 
provisions in 50 states and the District of Columbia. Provision 
categories were identified based on our review of these legal and 
policy documents. 

[End of table] 

Even when states have similar types of provisions, the extent to which 
the provisions promote access varies considerably. For example, while 
some states' statutes recommend that all polling places be accessible, 
other states require it without exception. In addition, some 
provisions are more explicit or exacting in promoting access than 
others. For example, according to one state's statutes, all voting 
systems acquired on or after September 1, 1999, must comply with Title 
II of the ADA and must provide a practical and effective means for 
voters with most types of physical disabilities to cast a secret 
ballot.[Footnote 39] In contrast, another state's regulations require 
a large-handled stylus for punching the ballot. 

Counties Are Generally Responsible for Assuring Polling Place 
Accessibility, but Practices Vary: 

Consistent with the VAEHA, we found that primary responsibility for 
assuring accessibility of polling places, through selecting, 
inspecting, and/or modifying polling places or voting systems, 
typically rests with counties or local governments. Although there are 
many similarities in how counties carry out their responsibilities, 
there are also some key differences in their approach and level of 
effort for assuring polling place accessibility. For example, although 
counties and local governments are generally responsible for selecting 
polling places, we estimate from our county survey that, in at least 
27 percent of all counties, accessibility to people with disabilities 
is not cited among the criteria used in the selection process. 
Additionally, while all polling places in at least 68 percent of all 
counties are inspected by county or local governments to determine if 
they meet voting accessibility policies, the frequency of these 
inspections varies widely. Some polling places may be inspected as 
frequently as once a year, while others may only be inspected upon 
selection or after a complaint or remodeling. Moreover, in a few 
counties, polling places conduct their own inspections. 

In addition, it is the county or local election office that is 
generally responsible for ensuring that polling places are accessible, 
such as by making and financing any polling place modifications and 
purchasing accessible voting equipment. Since 1995, in at least 32 
percent of all counties, temporary or permanent modifications were 
made to polling places to improve their accessibility.[Footnote 40] 
With respect to acquiring accessible voting equipment, county or local 
election officials in over 92 percent of all counties have the 
authority to decide the type of voting machines to be used. However, 
most states have established voting system standards with which 
counties must comply; some of these state standards require 
accommodations for individuals with disabilities, some do not. 

While counties and local election officials typically have primary 
responsibility for assuring the accessibility of polling places, table 
2 shows that states provide varying types of assistance. 

Table 2: State Practices in Assuring and Improving Polling Place 
Accessibility: 

Assuring accessibility: 

Practice: Provide counties with training or guidance; 
Number of states: 25. 

Practice: Select or inspect polling places; 
Number of states: 5. 

Practice: Both; 
Number of states: 8. 

Practice: Neither; 
Number of states: 13. 

Financing improvements to accessibility: 

Practice: Help fund polling place modifications; 
Number of states: 3. 

Practice: Help fund new voting systems; 
Number of states: 9. 

Practice: Both; 
Number of states: 2. 

Practice: Neither; 
Number of states: 37. 

Responding to voter complaints: 

Practice: Help respond to voter complaints, including access 
complaints; 
Number of states: 42. 

Practice: No policies/procedures for filing or reviewing accessibility 
complaints; 
Number of states: 9. 

Source: Interviews with state election officials in 50 states and the 
District of Columbia. 

[End of section] 

Moreover, the amount of assistance provided by states can vary widely 
for similar types of assistance. For example, to assure accessibility 
of polling places, one state conducts an annual accessibility survey 
of polling places, provides inspection training for county officials, 
and performs inspections of polling places. In contrast, another state 
only offers guidance to local officials on how to comply with 
disability standards. 

State Provisions and County Practices Regarding Alternative Voting 
Methods and Accommodations Vary: 

As shown in table 3, states provide alternative methods for voting on 
or before Election Day, but vary in the number and kind of 
alternatives and accommodations they make available to voters with 
disabilities. For example, in accordance with the VAEHA, all states 
allow absentee voting for voters with disabilities without notary or 
medical certification requirements.[Footnote 41] However, the dates by 
which absentee ballots must be received vary considerably, with some 
states requiring that, to be counted, the ballot must be received 
before Election Day. In addition, 17 states permit permanent absentee 
voting, allowing voters with disabilities to receive absentee ballots 
on a continuing basis without reapplying for a ballot before each 
election. Further, 19 states have provisions for notifying voters in 
advance about the accessibility of their assigned polling places. 
Other accommodations that some, but not all, states allow include 
curbside voting; taking ballots to a voter's residence; and allowing 
voters to use another, more accessible polling location either on or 
before Election Day.[Footnote 42] (See appendix IV, table 10 for a 
detailed state-by-state listing of alternative voting methods 
provided.) 

Table 3: State Provisions for Alternative Voting Methods and 
Accommodations: 

Methods and accommodations: Absentee voting by mails; 
Number of states: 
Permitting: 51; 
No provision: 0. 

Methods and accommodations: Ballot due before Election Day; 
Number of states: 
Permitting: 5. 

Methods and accommodations: Ballot due on Election Day; 
Number of states: 
Permitting: 36. 

Methods and accommodations: Ballot may be received after Election 
Day[B]; 
Number of states: 
Permitting: 10. 

Methods and accommodations: Permanent absentee voting; 
Number of states: 
Permitting: 17; 
No provision: 34. 

Methods and accommodations: With restrictions[C]; 
Number of states: 
Permitting: 10. 

Methods and accommodations: Without restrictions; 
Number of states: 
Permitting: 7. 

Methods and accommodations: Curbside voting on Election Day[D]; 
Number of states: 
Permitting: 28; 
No provision: 19. 

Methods and accommodations: Ballot can be taken to voter's residence 
on or before Election Day[E]; 
Number of states: 
Permitting: 21; 
No provision: 25. 

Methods and accommodations: Use of alternative, accessible polling 
place on Election Day; 
Number of states: 
Permitting: 27; 
No provision: 24. 

Methods and accommodations: Early voting; 
Number of states: 
Permitting: 39; 
No provision: 12. 

Methods and accommodations: With provision requiring accessible 
location; 
Number of states: 
Permitting: 16. 

Methods and accommodations: No provision regarding accessible location; 
Number of states: 
Permitting: 23. 

Methods and accommodations: Advance notice of inaccessible polling 
place; 
Number of states: 
Permitting: 19; 
No provision: 32. 

Note: Some states may not have provisions for certain accommodations 
or alternative voting methods because they require all polling places 
to be accessible. 

[A[ See appendix IV, table 10 for additional information on absentee 
voting, including absentee voting in person or by personal 
representative. Absentee voting provisions for overseas or military 
voters, and for emergencies, are not included in this analysis. 

[B] Most of these states require ballots to be postmarked on or before 
Election Day. 

[C] Examples of restrictions include medical certification 
requirements, or availability limited to voters with certain 
disabilities. 

[D] Not included in the table are four states that prohibit curbside 
voting. 

[E] Not included in the table are five states that prohibit taking a 
ballot to a voter's residence. 

Source: GAO analysis of statues, regulations, and other written 
provisions provided by election officials in 50 states and the 
District of Columbia. 

[End of table] 

Although states may offer similar types of voting alternatives and 
accommodations, wide variation exists in how these alternatives and 
accommodations are implemented. For example, one state requires that 
all registered voters be notified of the accessibility of their 
polling place by mail at least 21 days before the election. The notice 
must inform the voter of his or her right to curbside voting or to 
vote by absentee ballot. In comparison, another state only recommends 
that a list of accessible polling places be published in a newspaper 
no later than 4 days before the election. 

Finally, in states that have no provisions for particular alternative 
voting methods or accommodations, county and local government 
practices may vary. For example, in a number of states that have no 
provision for curbside voting, we found that some counties and local 
governments offer curbside voting and some do not. Similarly, in a 
number of states that lacked provisions for allowing voters to use an 
alternative voting place on Election Day, our county survey data 
showed that some counties and local governments offer this alternative 
and some do not. 

Most Polling Places Have Features That May Impede Access, but Most 
Also Provide Accommodations That May Facilitate Voting: 

Voting access for people with disabilities may be impeded by a variety 
of physical features at polling places; however, accommodations to 
facilitate voting are often made available. Although the extent to 
which any given feature may prevent access is unknown, most polling 
places in the contiguous United States have one or more physical 
features that may pose challenges for voters with disabilities. These 
features include a lack of accessible parking and barriers en route 
from the parking area to the voting room. Figure 2 shows key features 
we examined. Such potential impediments can be found at all types of 
buildings, both public and private. Additionally, the voting methods 
and equipment used inside polling places may pose challenges for some 
voters with disabilities. However, polling places generally provide 
accommodations, such as curbside voting, voting stations designed for 
people with disabilities, and voter assistance inside the voting room. 

Polling Place Facilities: 

From our observations on Election Day, we estimate that, from the 
parking area to the voting room, 16 percent of all polling places in 
the contiguous United States have no potential impediments, 56 percent 
have one or more potential impediments but offer curbside voting, and 
28 percent have one or more potential impediments and do not offer 
curbside voting.[Footnote 43] (See figure 3.) These potential 
impediments would primarily affect individuals with mobility 
impairments. Although curbside voting is not available at a number of 
polling places with potential impediments, as noted earlier, all 
states have provisions for absentee voting, and many states provide 
for other alternative voting methods or accommodations that may 
facilitate voting by people with disabilities on or before Election 
Day.[Footnote 44] 

Figure 2: Key Features at Polling Places: 

[Refer to PDF for image: illustration] 

A. Parking Area: 

A1. On- or off-street parking is designated for persons with 
disabilities. 

B. Route from parking area to building entrance: 

B1. Surface is paved or has no abrupt changes over 1/4 inch. 

B2. Curbs are ramped or cut, and are 36 inches or more wide. 

B3. Path or ramp along path is 36 inches or more wide (may narrow to 
32 inches for no more than 2 feet). 

B4. Slope of path or ramp along path is no steeper than 1:12. 

B5. Steps have handrails that extend at least 1 foot beyond the 
landing. 

B6. Ramps have two handrails (one on each side) if highest point is 
more than 6 inches off the ground. 

C. Entrance area to the building: 

C1. Doorway threshold does not exceed 1/2 inch in height. 

C2. Single- or double-door openings are 32 inches or more wide. 

C3. Closed door difficult for a person in a wheelchair to open. 

D. Curbside voting: 

D1. Voting available at curbside. 

E. Route from inside the building entrance to the voting room: 

E1. Doorway threshold does not exceed 1/2 inch in height. 

E2. Single- or double-door openings are 32 inches or more wide. 

E3. Steps are not required to reach the voting room. 

E4. Corridors have clearances 36 inches or more wide (may narrow to 32 
inches for no more than 2 feet). 

E5. Slope of ramp no steeper than 1:12. 

F. Voting stations: 

F1. Voting stations configured for sitting can accommodate a 
wheelchair. 

F2. Voting stations configured for standing have forward reach no 
lower than 15 inches and no higher than 48 inches. 

F3. Voting stations configured for standing have side reach no lower 
than 9 inches and no higher than 54 inches. 

[End of figure] 

Figure 3: Prevalence of Potential Impediments at Polling Places and 
Availability of Curbside Voting: 

[Refer to PDF for image: pie-chart] 

Percentage of polling places with no potential impediments: 16%; 
Percentage of polling places with one or more potential impediments 
that offer curbside voting: 56%; 
Percentage of polling places with one or more potential impediments 
that do not offer curbside voting: 28%. 

Note: These potential impediments are located along the route from the 
parking area to the voting room. 

Source: GAO analysis of polling place data collected on Nov. 7, 2000. 

[End of figure] 

As shown in figure 4, most polling places with potential impediments 
also offer curbside voting: of the 84 percent of polling places that 
have one or more potential impediments, 67 percent offer curbside 
voting. Figure 4 also shows that most of the potential impediments 
occur in two of the four location areas we examined-—en route from the 
parking area to the building, and at the entrance of the building. For 
example, 57 percent of all polling places have some type of potential 
impediment from the parking area to the building, such as unpaved/poor 
surfaces, or paths or ramps with slopes that exceed the Americans with 
Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines,[Footnote 45] which could 
hinder the approach of a voter in a wheelchair. Appendix V contains a 
listing of some of the potential impediments in each location area. 

Figure 4: Percentage of Polling Places With Potential Impediments That 
Offer Curbside Voting[A]: 

[Refer to PDF for image: 5 illustrated pis-charts] 

Location: Entire route from parking area to voting room: 
84% of all polling places have potential impediments; 
67% of these offer curbside voting. 

Location: Parking area: 
33% of all polling places have potential impediments in the parking 
area; 
71% of these offer curbside voting. 

Location: Route from parking area to building entrance; 
57% of all polling places have potential impediments from the parking 
area to the building entrance; 
64% of these offer curbside voting. 

Location: Entrance to the building; 
59% of all polling places have potential impediments at the entrance 
to the building; 
62% of these offer curbside voting. 

Location: Route from inside of the building to the voting room; 
14% of all polling places have potential impediments from inside the 
building to the voting room; 
63% of these offer curbside voting. 

[A] Sampling errors on the percentages of polling places with 
potential impediments range from 4 to 8 percentage points at the 95-
percent confidence level; the sampling errors on the percentages of 
polling places offering curbside voting range from 10 to 16 percentage 
points at the 95-percent confidence level. 

Source: GAO analysis of polling place data collected on Nov. 7, 2000. 

[End of figure] 

We also found that many polling places have more than one potential 
impediment, some of which occur in more than one location area. For 
example, figure 5 shows that 63 percent of all polling places have two 
or more potential impediments. Further, in the four location areas we 
examined, we found that 52 percent of polling places have potential 
impediments in more than one location area. A small percentage of all 
polling places (5 percent) have a potential impediment in all four 
location areas. 

Figure 5: Percentage of All Polling Places by Number of Potential 
Impediments: 

[Refer to PDF for image: vertical bar graph] 

Number of Potential Impediments: 0; 
Percentage: 16%. 

Number of Potential Impediments: 1 or more; 
Percentage: 84%; 

Number of Potential Impediments: 2 or more; 
Percentage: 63%; 

Number of Potential Impediments: 3 or more; 
Percentage: 45%; 

Number of Potential Impediments: 4 or more; 
Percentage: 29%; 

Number of Potential Impediments: 5 or more; 
Percentage: 21%. 

Number of Potential Impediments: 6 or more; 
Percentage: 14%. 

Notes: Thirteen was the maximum number of potential impediments we 
found at any one polling place. Sampling errors range from 4 to 8 
percentage points at the 95-percent confidence level. 

Source: GAO analysis of polling place data collected on Nov. 7, 2000. 

[End of figure] 

Our polling place data also show that potential impediments to access 
occur at fairly high rates regardless of the type of building used as 
a polling place. Table 4 shows that, for each type of building, 76 
percent or more have potential impediments to voting access for people 
with disabilities. 

Table 4: Prevalence of Potential Impediments by Type of Building: 

Type of building: School; 
Percentage of all polling places: 24%; 
Percentage of buildings with at least one potential impediment: 78%. 

Type of building: Library or recreational/community center; 
Percentage of all polling places: 21%; 
Percentage of buildings with at least one potential impediment: 90%. 

Type of building: House of worship; 
Percentage of all polling places: 18%; 
Percentage of buildings with at least one potential impediment: 82%. 

Type of building: City/town hall or courthouse; 
Percentage of all polling places: 14%; 
Percentage of buildings with at least one potential impediment: 91%. 

Type of building: Police/fire station; 
Percentage of all polling places: 9%; 
Percentage of buildings with at least one potential impediment: 76%. 

Type of building: Private home; 
Percentage of all polling places: 4%; 
Percentage of buildings with at least one potential impediment: 93%. 

Type of building: Other[A]; 
Percentage of all polling places: 10%; 
Percentage of buildings with at least one potential impediment: 78%. 

Note: Sampling errors for the types of buildings as a percentage of 
all polling places range from 3 to 6 percentage points at the 95-
percent confidence level; the sampling errors on the percentage of 
these buildings with potential impediments range from 8 to 15 
percentage points at the 95-percent confidence level. 

[A] Includes National Guard Armories, lodges and fraternal 
organizations, apartment buildings, and private businesses. 

Source: GAO analysis of polling place data collected on Nov. 7, 2000. 

[End of table] 

Moreover, about 70 percent of all polling places are in facilities—-
such as schools, recreational/community centers, city/town halls, 
police/fire stations, libraries, and courthouses-—potentially subject 
to either Title II or DI of the ADA, irrespective of their use as 
polling places.[Footnote 46] Our polling place data show that, of the 
polling places located in these types of facilities, about 84 percent 
have one or more features that may present challenges to physical 
access for voters with disabilities.[Footnote 47] Potential 
impediments found at these facilities include high door thresholds, 
ramps with steep slopes, and a lack of accessible parking. However, 
under the ADA, only new construction and alterations must be readily 
accessible, and we did not determine the date that polling place 
facilities were either constructed or altered. In addition, due to the 
number of possible approaches for meeting ADA requirements on 
accessibility to public services and because places of public 
accommodation need remove barriers only where it is easy to do so, our 
data do not allow us to determine whether polling places with 
potential impediments would meet ADA requirements. 

Inside the Voting Room: 

Inside the voting room, many of the voting methods and the equipment 
used may prove challenging for voters with certain types of 
disabilities. Figure 6 shows that the use of ballots marked by a pen 
or pencil-—traditional paper ballots and mark-sense ballots used with 
optical scanning equipment-—is the most widespread voting method. This 
method is followed in prevalence by punch-card ballots, direct 
recording electronic ("electronic") voting equipment, and lever 
machines. Table 5 details the potential challenges these methods may 
present to voters with visual or dexterity impairments.[Footnote 48] 
In addition, voters in wheelchairs may have difficulty reaching and 
manipulating the handles on lever machines, and they also may find it 
difficult to reach and press the buttons on electronic voting 
equipment. Although electronic voting equipment may pose challenges 
for some voters with disabilities, some types of this method may be 
adapted with audio and other aids to accommodate a range of 
impairments. 

Figure 6: Voting Methods Used at Polling Places: 

[Refer to PDF for image: pie-chart] 

Lever machine: 17%; 
* Voters pull a lever next to the ballot choice; 
* Officials read machine-generated totals. 

Electronic voting equipment: 19%; 
* Voters push a button or touch a computer screen to indicate ballot 
choices that are posted or displayed on a computer screen; 
* Officials read the vote totals stored on each machine's computer 
chip. 

Traditional paper or mark-sense ballots[A]: 43%; 
* Voters mark boxes or ovals on a paper ballot using a pen or pencil * 
Officials hand-count paper ballots and optically scan mark-sense 
ballots. 

Punch-card ballots[B]: 21%; 
* Voters punch out a box on a computer-readable card corresponding to 
each ballot choice; 
* Officials use a computerized tabulation machine to count the holes 
in the ballots. 

Note: Sampling errors range from 9 to 13 percentage points at the 95-
percent confidence level. 

[A] According to 2000 Election Data Services data, about 3 percent of 
all precincts use traditional hand-counted paper ballots. 

[B] We observed two types of equipment used with punch-card ballots: 
Votomatic and Datavote. 

Source: GAO analysis of polling place data collected on Nov. 7, 2000. 

[End of figure] 

Table 5: Potential Challenges Posed by Various Voting Methods: 

Voting method: Paper or mark-sense ballots; 
Potential challenges for voters with: Dexterity impairments: Holding 
the pencil or pen; 
Potential challenges for voters with: Visual impairments: Reading the 
text on the ballots. 

Voting method: Punch-card ballots; 
Potential challenges for voters with: Dexterity impairments: 
Pinpointing the stylus, or applying the appropriate amount of pressure 
to punch holes; 
Potential challenges for voters with: Visual impairments: Pinpointing 
the stylus, or reading the text on the ballots. 

Voting method: Electronic voting equipment; 
Potential challenges for voters with: Dexterity impairments: Pressing 
the buttons or images on the machine; 
Potential challenges for voters with: Visual impairments: Reading the 
text on the screen or the machine. 

Voting method: Lever machine; 
Potential challenges for voters with: Dexterity impairments: 
Manipulating the handles to operate the machine; 
Potential challenges for voters with: Visual impairments: Reading the 
text, or manipulating the handles to operate the machine. 

Source: GAO interviews with election officials and representatives of 
disability organizations. 

[End of table] 

For voters experiencing difficulties using these various voting 
methods, we found that one or more accommodations may be provided. 
Nearly all polling places allow voters to be assisted either by a 
friend or a poll worker.[Footnote 49] Forty-seven percent of all 
polling places provide magnifying devices to assist voters with visual 
impairments.[Footnote 50] Additionally, 51 percent of all polling 
places provide voting instructions or sample ballots in 18-point or 
larger type.[Footnote 51] However, none of the polling places that we 
visited had special ballots or voting equipment adapted for blind 
voters, such as audiotaped ballots, or Braille ballots or sleeves.
[Footnote 52] 

The configuration of voting stations, tables, or booths used in 
polling places may pose additional challenges for voters in 
wheelchairs. Fifty-two percent of all polling places have voting 
stations set up for people to sit and vote, 38 percent have stations 
set up for people to stand and vote, and 10 percent have stations set 
up for either seated or standing voting.[Footnote 53] At voting 
stations configured for sitting, 43 percent do not have the minimum 
height, width, or depth dimensions to position a wheelchair under a 
table.[Footnote 54] Moreover, many of the voting booths configured for 
standing have one or more features that might create an impediment for 
a voter in a wheelchair. For example, 51 percent of the booths 
configured for standing do not accommodate a voter in a wheelchair who 
has to reach forward to mark or cast a ballot, and 55 percent do not 
accommodate a person in a wheelchair who has to reach sideways to 
vote.[Footnote 55] However, as noted earlier, nearly all polling 
places allow a friend or poll worker to assist with voting. 

A Variety of Challenges Face States and Counties as They Work Toward 
Improving Access to Voting: 

Although a number of efforts have been made to improve voting access 
for people with disabilities, election officials cited a variety of 
challenges they face in trying to do so. Challenges cited by election 
officials include the limited availability of accessible buildings and 
the lack of authority to modify buildings to make them more 
accessible. Election officials also told us that the cost of acquiring 
voting equipment that is more accessible is another major challenge. 
Finally, election officials cited a number of legal, administrative, 
and operational challenges associated with implementing accommodations 
and voting alternatives that might make voting more accessible. 
Nevertheless, a number of states and counties have been successful at 
surmounting some of these difficulties. 

Improving Polling Place Accessibility Hindered by the Lack of 
Accessible Buildings and Authority or Funds to Modify Them: 

Some counties find that a major challenge to improving polling place 
accessibility is a lack of accessible buildings, according to our 
national survey of county election officials. Comments from both state 
and county election officials indicate that problems finding 
accessible buildings can occur in both rural and urban locations. For 
example, in rural areas, the lack of buildings or the existence of 
rough terrain can create difficulties; whereas in cities, a lack of 
parking or the prevalence of older buildings that may be not 
accessible can be a problem. 

However, even when accessible buildings exist in an area, election 
officials may lack the authority to use them. While some county 
election officials told us they had the authority to use public 
buildings as polling places, other officials indicated that they did 
not have this authority. Furthermore, states and counties generally 
lack the authority to require the owners of private buildings to make 
their buildings available for elections. According to our survey 
results, at least 26 percent of all counties find it difficult to 
provide accessible polling places because buildings are under the 
control of persons who do not want them to be used as polling places. 
In addition, while at least 86 percent of the counties can provide 
private building owners some compensation for the use of their 
buildings, the amount may be limited to paying janitorial costs or a 
small usage fee—-sometimes less than $100 per facility—-which may not 
serve as a persuasive incentive. 

One option for overcoming the limited supply of accessible buildings 
is to modify buildings, for example by installing ramps or widening 
doorways. While election officials have reported some success with 
this option, some indicated that their ability to make modifications 
has been impeded by authority limitations and funding constraints. For 
publicly held buildings, we found that the county or local election 
office has the authority to order permanent modifications to public 
polling places in less than one-third of the counties. For privately 
held buildings, election officials generally need the owners' 
permission to make temporary or permanent modifications. In addition, 
some state and county election officials indicated that funding 
constraints could also limit needed modifications. Despite these 
limitations, we estimate that, in at least 32 percent of all counties, 
one or more polling places may have been modified, either temporarily 
or permanently, since 1995 to improve accessibility. Furthermore, 
while election officials may not have the authority or funding to 
alleviate all accessibility problems, there may still be opportunities 
for some improvements, such as using signs to designate accessible 
parking and pathways. 

Providing Accessible Voting Equipment Is Hindered by Funding 
Constraints and Concerns about Reliability and Security: 

Most state election officials told us that limited funding is one of 
the main barriers to improving voting accessibility, especially with 
regard to providing more accessible voting equipment. While some 
states may provide funds to ease this burden, according to our county 
survey, the county and local levels of government generally bear the 
cost for purchasing, leasing, or modifying voting equipment. Although 
a number of election officials and disability advocates we interviewed 
agreed that the new electronic voting equipment can accommodate a 
wider range of disabilities than other voting methods, they also 
expressed concern that it can be expensive, despite dramatic price 
reductions in the recent past.[Footnote 56] At the time of our 
interviews, election officials estimated that each electronic voting 
unit can cost from $3,000 to about $6,000, with attachments to enable 
voting by people with various disabilities costing up to an additional 
$1,000 per unit.[Footnote 57] Moreover, competing priorities for 
funding at a local level may limit funding for improving voting 
accessibility, according to several election officials we interviewed. 
For example, counties needing road improvements may decide to pave 
roads rather than purchase or lease new voting equipment. 

In addition to costs, concerns about the reliability and security of 
electronic equipment can discourage its adoption, according to 
election officials we interviewed. For example, without the 
traditional paper ballot to rely upon, some election officials fear 
that the equipment could be tampered with to produce unreliable or 
fraudulent election outcomes. One state official told us that several 
of the counties in his state that are accustomed to paper ballots do 
not want electronic voting machines, even if the state pays for them. 
Also state election official told us that some officials are concerned 
because this newer technology does not create traditional paper 
ballots and would not, therefore, allow for a standard ballot recount 
to verify the election outcome. However, newer electronic systems have 
enhancements that allow voters to confirm their selections and that 
improve the ability of election officials to verify election results. 

Although some counties indicated that they had purchased or were 
considering the purchase of newer electronic voting equipment, a 
number have indicated that they had made improvements to their 
existing equipment to enhance voter accessibility. For example, some 
counties reported modifying existing voting machines-—for example, by 
making them adjustable-—so that individuals who need to vote in a 
sitting position can vote independently. Some counties using punch-
card equipment reported providing a larger stylus to make it easier 
for those who could not grip or otherwise vote using a regular stylus. 
Also, some county officials told us that, upon request, they try to 
provide special aids—such as Braille sleeves for the paper ballot and 
an accompanying audiotape or Braille ballots—so that blind individuals 
can vote independently, although we did not observe such aids on 
Election Day.[Footnote 58] 

While incremental improvements to older voting technology may enable 
more people with disabilities to vote independently, some election 
officials and disability advocates we interviewed believe these 
measures have shortcomings. For example, according to spokespersons 
for national advocacy groups for people with disabilities, blind 
voters may not be comfortable with audiotapes because using them is 
time-consuming and does not allow them to independently confirm that 
they marked their ballots correctly. Moreover, only a small percentage 
of blind individuals have the Braille proficiency needed to vote using 
a Braille ballot. In addition, some voters with severe dexterity 
problems may not be able to mark their ballots even with a larger 
punching stylus or special writing implement. 

Alternative Voting Methods and Accommodations Provide Options, but 
Also Present Access and Implementation Challenges: 

Expanding the availability of alternative voting methods or 
accommodations can provide voters with additional options, but  
implementing these changes can present election officials with legal, 
administrative, and operational challenges. For example, expanding the 
use of curbside voting could allow more voters with disabilities to 
cast their votes at neighborhood polling places on Election Day. For 
election officials, implementing curbside voting requires having staff 
trained and available to assist voters outside the polling place. 
Moreover, in some states where curbside voting is either prohibited or 
not currently used, policymakers would need to be convinced that 
providing this accommodation would not increase the potential for 
fraud as a result of ballots being taken out of the polling place 
facility. Disability advocates told us that this accommodation and 
other alternatives represent important and needed options for some 
voters with disabilities; at the same time, advocates believe that 
such alternatives do not provide an equal opportunity to vote in the 
same manner as the general public and should not be viewed as 
permanent solutions for inaccessible polling places. 

Given the limited availability of accessible polling places, other 
options that could allow more voters with disabilities to vote at a 
polling place on Election Day include reassigning them to another, 
more accessible polling place or creating accessible superprecincts in 
which voters from more than one precinct would all vote in the same 
building. For voters with disabilities, reassignment to more 
accessible polling places may require them to travel farther to vote. 
For election officials, some challenges to reassigning voters are 
ensuring that they have notified the voter, trained poll workers, and 
provided an appropriate ballot at the reassigned location. In 
comparison, superprecincts could inconvenience many voters by 
requiring extra travel for those whose polling place was relocated. 
The challenge in creating a superprecinct that is also accessible is 
finding an accessible facility of sufficient size and amenities to 
meet the needs of a large number of voters. 

In addition, some alternatives and accommodations allow individuals to 
vote before Election Day, including voting in person at early voting 
sites or using less restrictive absentee voting options, such as "no 
excuse" or permanent absentee voting.[Footnote 59] Some voters may 
prefer voting before Election Day because it provides greater 
flexibility and convenience. For example, some voters with 
disabilities may want to use an absentee voting alternative and may 
find permanent absentee voting more convenient than reapplying every 
election. However, the various limitations and requirements of these 
voting options, such as traveling to an early voting site or providing 
a doctor's certification to qualify for permanent absentee voting, may 
discourage the use of these options by some voters with disabilities 
whose only obstacle to voting as others do is an inaccessible polling 
place. For election officials, establishing early voting sites and 
expanding the number of absentee voters add to the cost and complexity 
of running an election. In addition, some election officials told us 
that policymakers in their states are reluctant to adopt or expand 
voting options—for example, to allow permanent absentee voting—because 
they fear it may increase the risk of fraud. At the same time, these 
options have been adopted by a number of states. A unique early voting 
option chosen by Oregon's voters is universal vote-by-mail. While 
there were challenges in implementing this method, such as 
establishing uniform statewide voting procedures, there have also been 
benefits, such as reducing the cost of holding an election, according 
to an Oregon election official. 

Internet voting—-an alternative that has been only used on a limited 
basis to date-—also presents increased participation opportunities and 
implementation challenges.[Footnote 60] Internet voting could 
potentially provide voters the convenience of voting from remote 
locations, such as their homes, and thereby provide another option for 
increasing voter participation. However, numerous election officials 
and others have expressed concerns about the security and reliability 
of the Internet and lack of widespread access to it. To resolve these 
issues, task force studies have suggested that Internet voting could 
be introduced in phases.[Footnote 61] 

Appendix VI provides a summary of the wide assortment of issues and 
challenges for each voting accommodation and alternative method 
discussed above. 

We are sending copies of this report to the Department of Justice, the 
Federal Election Commission, the Architectural and Transportation 
Barriers Compliance Board (the Access Board), appropriate 
congressional committees, and other interested parties. We will also 
make copies available to others on request. If you or your staff have 
any questions concerning this report, please call me or Carol Dawn 
Petersen, Assistant Director, at (202) 512-7215. Staff acknowledgments 
are listed in appendix VII. 

Signed by: 

Barbara D. Bovbjerg: 
Director, Education, Workforce, and Income Security Issues: 

[End of section] 

Appendix I: Scope and Methods: 

This appendix provides more detail about the procedures used to 
conduct our legal analysis, collect information from states and 
counties, and select our sample of polling places. It also provides 
more information about the final sample of polling places that was 
used in our analysis, as well as details about the analysis itself. 

Analysis of State Laws and Written Policies: 

Our review of state provisions for assuring voting accessibility 
included a review of laws (statutes and regulations) and written 
policies related to accessibility of polling places and alternative 
voting methods and accommodations. 

With respect to polling place accessibility, our review focused on 
state provisions concerning accessibility standards, inspection and 
reporting requirements, voting booth and system accommodations, and 
aids for voters with visual impairments. With respect to alternative 
voting methods and accommodations, our review focused on state 
provisions concerning early voting and absentee voting (including 
methods and deadlines), permanent absentee voting (including 
restrictions), curbside voting, taking ballots to voters' residences, 
assigning voters to more accessible polling places, and notifying 
voters in advance of inaccessible polling places. 

To identify relevant laws and written policies, we first interviewed 
appropriate election officials in 50 states and the District of 
Columbia to discuss their laws and policies concerning polling place 
accessibility and alternative voting methods. We asked these officials 
to provide us with legal citations to laws and copies of written 
policies on any state policies they identified. In addition to the 
information provided by state election officials, we researched legal 
databases and the Internet to identify any additional state statutes, 
regulations, and written policies concerning polling place 
accessibility or alternative voting methods or accommodations. We did 
not include emergency provisions or provisions applicable only to 
military, out-of-state, or overseas voters. 

To determine a state's provisions concerning polling place 
accessibility or alternative voting methods or accommodations, we 
first reviewed state statutes. If state statutes did not specifically 
address the issue, we then reviewed any applicable regulations. In the 
absence of an applicable statute or regulation, we reviewed written 
policies and guidelines we identified and collected or had been 
provided by the state. After determining each state's provisions, and 
whether the provisions were based in state law or written policy, we 
shared our determinations with each state election office. We reviewed 
changes suggested by state election offices, reviewed any additional 
documents submitted, and adjusted our determinations where 
appropriate. We generally deferred to interpretations by a state of 
its own statutory or regulatory provisions. However, as a rule, we did 
not include policies or practices that were not supported by a written 
document. 

Data Collection From States, Counties, and Selected National 
Organizations: 

To identify efforts and challenges to improving voting accessibility 
for people with disabilities, we interviewed election officials in all 
50 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in our statistical 
sample of 100 counties.[Footnote 62] We also interviewed selected 
representatives of national organizations representing states, 
counties, and people with disabilities to obtain their views on the 
costs of accessible equipment and the extent to which alternative 
voting methods and accommodations improve access for voters with 
disabilities. We did not independently verify the information provided 
by election officials or organization representatives through our 
interviews. 

Our interviews of election officials in the 50 states and the District 
of Columbia focused on state laws concerning absentee voting 
requirements, as well as laws, regulations, and written policies 
concerning voting access for people with disabilities. We also asked 
for information about the state's role in assuring compliance with 
state policy, or providing or controlling resources for assuring 
compliance. Other topics covered in the interview were the state's 
role in making polling places accessible, the voting systems used in 
the state, any efforts initiated by the states to increase voting 
access for people with disabilities, and whether they perceived any 
barriers or constraints to such efforts. 

For the 100 counties, we generally contacted county election officials 
because in most states responsibility for conducting elections is 
entrusted to them. However, in four counties we contacted election 
officials at a subcounty level, such as towns and cities, where the 
responsibility for elections resides. We then combined their responses 
to create county level responses. 

In contacting the 100 counties we intended to visit on Election Day, 
we generally conducted two interviews—one before Election Day and one 
after. The first interview was designed to alert appropriate election 
officials to the nature of our inquiry and to ask for their 
cooperation so that we could visit polling places in their counties on 
Election Day.[Footnote 63] We also asked for information about county 
laws or policies on voting access for people with disabilities, as 
well as county practices such as assessment and inspection of polling 
places, choice of buildings to be used as polling places, choice of 
voting methods and machines, and efforts for improvements in 
accessibility. 

Our second interview with county and local election officials was 
conducted after Election Day and was designed to collect more 
information about county practices in selecting polling places, 
obtaining and using voting equipment, and handling voter complaints, 
as well as accessibility of polling places and voting methods in the 
county and steps the county may take when a polling place is not 
accessible. In addition, we asked for information about types of 
facilities used in conducting an election and resources for meeting 
accessibility standards and improving accessibility. We also asked for 
information about voter participation, extent of polling place 
resources, and officials' opinions about major barriers and 
constraints to improving accessibility to voting for people with 
disabilities.[Footnote 64] 

For our interviews with election officials from states and counties, 
we used three data collection instruments (DCIs) to ensure that 
questions were asked, and responses were documented, in a consistent 
manner. The DCIs--one for the state interviews and two for the county 
interviews--were developed in consultation with GAO methodologists. To 
further ensure reliable and accurate results, the DCIs were 
administered by GAO staff who were trained to administer them. Our 
interviews with selected representatives of national organizations 
were designed to collect more in-depth information on the cost and 
challenges of acquiring more-accessible voting equipment, and on the 
challenges and benefits of implementing alternative voting methods and 
accommodations. GAO staff asked each representative the same set of 
questions to ensure we obtained comprehensive and balanced views on 
each issue. 

Selection of Polling Places: 

Our selection of a sample of polling places used what is known as a 
two-stage sampling method. The first stage was the selection of a 
sample of counties. Each of those counties was then treated as a 
"cluster" of polling places. In the second stage, we selected a sample 
of polling places from each cluster. 

Because there is no central list of all of the polling places in the 
United States, the first stage of our sampling method started with a 
list of all counties, since most elections are administered at the 
county level.[Footnote 65] For cost and efficiency reasons we confined 
our list of counties to those in the contiguous United States, thus 
excluding the states of Alaska and Hawaii. We also excluded the state 
of Oregon because, since 1998, elections in that state have been 
conducted almost exclusively by mail. The final number of counties 
from which we sampled was 3,074. Because the unit of analysis we were 
ultimately interested in was the polling place, we used a probability 
proportional to size sampling method to select the counties. We wanted 
to base the probability that a particular county would be selected on 
the number of polling places in that county, so that counties with 
many polling places would be more likely to be selected than counties 
with few. Since information on the number of polling places in each 
county is not readily available, we based our selection of counties on 
the size of the voting-age population of each county (age 18 and 
over), with more-populous counties more likely to be selected than 
less-populous counties. We considered the voting-age population to be 
an acceptable correlate to the number of polling places. We therefore 
arranged our list of counties so that, for each county, the 
probability of selection would be proportional to the size of its 
voting-age population. We then randomly selected, without replacement, 
100 counties from that list. 

The second stage of our sampling method involved selecting from each 
county the specific polling places to be visited. Once the 100 
counties were selected, we contacted county election officials and 
asked for the most recent listing of all polling places in each. 
[Footnote 66] From each county list, we randomly selected eight 
polling places for a total sample of 800 polling places. These 800 
polling places were located in 33 states. Our sampling method produced 
a representative sample of polling places in the contiguous United 
States. To preserve the integrity of the data collection effort, the 
selected polling place locations were not disclosed prior to Election 
Day. Sampling errors for the polling place data generally range 
between 3 and 10 percentage points.[Footnote 67] 

Description of Site Visits and the Data Collection Instrument: 

On Election Day, GAO deployed one- or two-person "teams" composed of 
experienced GAO staff to counties in our sample. Each team was 
equipped with a DCI on which to record their observations; a measuring 
tape; and the "ADA Accessibility Stick firm," a tool designed to 
measure potential structural impediments in buildings and on 
walkways.[Footnote 68] GAO monitored the activities of the teams 
throughout Election Day and provided advice by telephone from our 
Washington, D.C., and San Francisco offices. 

To ensure uniform data collection across the country, all teams 
received training in the use of the ADA Accessibility Stick IITM and 
the proper way to fill out each question on the DCI. Teams were 
instructed on how to interview the poll worker in charge of each 
polling place about accommodations for voters with disabilities and 
were instructed to review their responses with them.[Footnote 69] 
Teams also received instructions on the appropriate times for visiting 
polling places and were instructed not to approach voters or interfere 
with the voting process in any way during their visits. 

Representatives appointed by the county election officials escorted 
many of the teams to the polling places. The escorts accompanied the 
teams to polling places, and facilitated access into the voting room. 
To maintain the integrity of the data collection process, GAO teams 
were instructed not to disclose the location of the selected polling 
places ahead of time.[Footnote 70] 

Due to constraints of time and geography, some teams were not able to 
visit all eight polling places in their assigned county. We preserved 
the randomness of our sample, however, by having the teams visit the 
polling places in the same order in which they were pulled from the 
sample. That is, each team was given an ordered list of polling places 
to visit and was expected to follow the order number in making their 
visits. If for some reason a polling place in a particular county was 
skipped, all polling places farther down that list were dropped from 
the sample. Thus, for example, polling site number five was not 
included in the final sample unless polling sites one through four had 
also been visited. 

In addition, some counties did not allow us to visit their polling 
places on Election Day itself, but made the sites available to us on 
an alternative date. Ultimately, all teams visited at least three and 
as many as eight polling places. In total, we visited 496 polling 
places in 85 counties on Election Day and another 89 polling places in 
15 counties either before or after Election Day.[Footnote 71] 

The DCI we used is reproduced in appendix H. Most of the questions 
contained in this instrument incorporate access standards from the 
1991 Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines for 
Buildings and Facilities,[Footnote 72] the American National Standards 
Institute's (ANSI) Standard A117.1-1998: Accessible and Usable 
Buildings and Facilities,[Footnote 73] and the ADA Guide for Small 
Towns from the Department of Justice (D0J).[Footnote 74] In addition, 
some of the questions in our instrument were based upon questions in 
an earlier access survey by the Federal Election Commission (FEC), 
[Footnote 75] and upon guidelines published by the National Task Force 
on Accessible Elections.[Footnote 76] 

All DCI questions were carefully reviewed by GAO methodologists to 
ensure the questions would result in the collection of reliable and 
accurate data. We then provided copies of a draft version of our DCI 
to representatives of the Election Center, the National Organization 
on Disability, and the Task Force on Accessible Elections for their 
review and comments, but did not receive comments from these 
organizations. We also provided the Access Board with a copy of our 
draft instrument and they provided comments, which we incorporated as 
appropriate. Finally, to ensure that the instrument could be used 
effectively in the field and completed in a reasonable amount of time 
by the teams, we pretested the DCI twice—-during the June 27, 2000, 
Special Election and the September 12, 2000, Primary Election-—both in 
the District of Columbia. 

Analysis of Election Day Data: 

In analyzing the data collected on Election Day, we first grouped the 
types of impediments that could be encountered at a polling place into 
those that might be encountered at each of four locations—the parking 
area, the route from the parking area to the building, the building 
entrance, and the route from the entrance to the voting room. 
Therefore, the percentage of polling places cited as having one or 
more potential impediments was based on whether or not a polling place 
was found to have at least one potential impediment in any of the four 
locations we examined and does not include potential impediments 
associated with the voting booth or equipment, which we report on 
separately. 

While features of the voting booth or equipment did not enter into our 
summary measure of whether a polling place had a potential impediment, 
we did look for potential impediments inside the voting room. We took 
measurements of the voting booth or table used by people with 
disabilities to determine whether equipment was within reach for 
wheelchair users and whether wheelchairs could fit inside the booth or 
under the table. We checked to see if sample ballots and voting 
instructions were provided in 18-point type, and if magnifying devices 
were available. Further, we checked whether Braille ballots and 
sleeves, audiotaped ballots, and other accommodations for blind voters 
were available. We also briefly interviewed the poll worker in charge 
at almost all of the polling places to find out whether curbside 
voting was available and how the poll workers would handle voter 
requests for assistance from a friend or an election official. 
[Footnote 77] 

Comparison of Non-Election Day Sample With Election Day Sample: 

In the 15 counties that did not give us access to their polling places 
on Election Day, we were able to complete only those portions of our 
DCI that referred to the outside of the building. That is, we observed 
the parking area and the route from the parking area to the building. 
However, because we were not at the polling places on Election Day 
itself, we could not observe temporary features that might have been 
provided to facilitate the building's use as a polling place, such as 
temporary signs or ramps. More important, we could not determine what 
accommodations, if any, were available to voters with disabilities if 
they were to encounter features that impeded their access to the 
polling place on Election Day itself. For this reason, although we 
visited 89 polling places in these counties either before or after 
Election Day, we excluded the data from these visits from our 
analysis. We reweighted our final sample to account for the exclusion 
of these polling places so that our findings regarding various polling 
place features can still be considered representative of all polling 
places in the contiguous United States. 

When we compare the limited data from the non-Election Day visits with 
those from the Election Day visits, it is clear that the exclusion of 
the non-Election Day data does not increase the percentage of polling 
places with a potential impediment in the parking area or on the route 
from the parking area to the building. The percentage of polling 
places in the non-Election Day sample with one or more potential 
impediments in these areas is higher than the percentage in the 
Election Day sample. While it is impossible to compare the entire 
route from parking to inside the building across the two sets of data, 
we found nothing to suggest that the non-Election Day sites would have 
had significantly fewer impediments than those found at the Election 
Day sites. Table 6 presents the percentage of polling places visited 
on Election Day and not on Election Day that had potential impediments 
either in the parking area or on the route to the building's entrance. 

Table 6: Comparison of Election Day and Non-Election Day Data: 
Percentage of Polling Places With Potential Impediments in Two Areas: 

Election Day sites: 
Parking area: 33%; 
Route from parking area to building entrance: 57%. 

Non-Election Day sites: 
Parking area: 38%; 
Route from parking area to building entrance: 73%. 

Note: Sampling errors for the Election Day sites range from 7 to 8 
percentage points at the 95-percent confidence level. Sampling errors 
for the Non-Election Day sites range from 15 to 20 percentage points 
at the 95-percent confidence level. 

Source: GAO analysis of polling place data. 

[End of table] 

Sampling Errors: 

All sample surveys are subject to sampling error, which is the extent 
to which the survey results differ from what would have been obtained 
if the whole universe had been observed. Measures of sampling error 
are defined by two elements—the width of the confidence interval 
around the estimate (sometimes called precision of the estimate) and 
the confidence level at which the interval is computed. The confidence 
interval refers to the fact that estimates actually encompass a range 
of possible values, not just a single point. This interval is often 
expressed as a point estimate, plus or minus some value (the precision 
level). For example, a point estimate of 75 percent plus or minus 5 
percentage points means that the true population value is estimated to 
lie between 70 percent and 80 percent, at some specified level of 
confidence. 

The confidence level of the estimate is a measure of the certainty 
that the true value lies within the range of the confidence interval. 
We calculated the sampling error for each statistical estimate in this 
report at the 95-percent confidence level and present this information 
throughout the report. 

[End of section] 

Appendix II: Polling Place Accessibility Data Collection Instrument: 

DCI to Assess Polling Place Accessibility: 

Background Information: 
1. Date: _____, 2000. 

2. Time of Visit: 

3. Name of Observer(s): 

4. Name of HQ's Team or Region: 

5. Is this location still a polling place? (Check One) 

1. Not an "Election Day" visit (Continue With DCL). 
2. Yes. 
3. No (Stop Here And Go To The Next Polling Place!). 

6. What is the building in which the polling place is located normally 
used as? (Check One.)
1. House of worship (e.g., church, parish, synagogue, mosque, temple); 
2. School; 
3. Library; 
4. Courthouse; 
5. Police or fire station; 
6. Recreational or community center; 
7. City Hall; 
8. Private home; 
9. Other (Please Specify). 

Parking: 

7. Is there temporary or permanent on or off street parking associated 
with this polling site that is specifically designated for persons 
with disabilities? (Check One) 

1. Yes, designated parking that is permanent only; 
2. Yes, designated parking that is temporary only; 
3. Yes, both temporary and permanent designated parking; 
4. No designated parking for persons with disabilities (If Checked, Go 
To Item 10); 
5. No parking for any voters (If Checked, Go To Item 10). 

8. Is the parking specifically designated for persons with 
disabilities on or off street parking, or is there both? (Check One). 
1. On street only; 
2. Off street only; 
3. Both on and off street parking. 

9. If the parking area specifically designated for persons with 
disabilities was not easily visible from the front of the polling 
place, was there a temporary or permanent sign directing voters to 
that parking area? (Check One). 
1. Yes, a temporary sign only; 
2. Yes, a permanent sign only; 
3. Yes, both temporary and permanent signs; 
4. No, there was no sign; 
5. Not applicable, parking area was easily visible. 

Route from Leaving the Car to the Accessible Entrance of the Building: 

10. What impediments to wheelchair use, if any, are there along the 
path from the point at which persons with disabilities leave their car 
to the "accessible" entrance (or main entrance if no accessible 
entrance designated) of the building? (Check All That Apply) 

Parking Area or Street in Front of Building: 
1. Unpaved or poor surface, e.g. abrupt changes over V4 inch; 
2. One or more unramped or uncut curbs; 
3. One or more ramped or cut curbs that are less than 36 inches wide; 
4. Other (Please Specify). 

Path from Parking Area or Street in Front of Building to the Entrance 
of the Building: 
5. Overly narrow (less than 36 inches wide, but can go down to 32 
inches wide for a distance of two feet) sidewalk/pathway along the 
path; 
6. For at least part of the way there is no sidewalk/pathway; 
7. Sidewalk/pathway has at least one slope that is steeper than 1:12; 
8. Leaves, snow, or litter creating a hazard or impediment; 
9. Steps required to reach building entrance (i.e., no ramps or lifts 
available); 
a. Steps have handrails that extend at least one foot beyond the 
landing; 
b. Steps have handrails that extend less than one foot beyond the 
landing; 
c. Steps have no handrails; 
10. Ramps along main or accessible path have a slope steeper than 1:12; 
11. Ramps that measure more than 6 inches from the ground to their 
highest point and lack 2 handrails (i.e. one on each side); 
12. Ramps that are less than 36 inches wide (can go down to 32 inches 
wide for a distance of two feet); 
13. Other (Please Specify). 
14. No impediments. 

11. If there was a special path for persons with disabilities that was 
different from the path that non-disabled persons would generally use, 
was there a temporary or permanent sign(s) clearly indicating that 
route? (Check One) 
1. Yes, a temporary sign only; 
2. Yes, a permanent sign only; 
3. Yes, both a temporary and a permanent sign; 
4. No, there was no sign clearly indicating that route; 
5. Not applicable, there was no special path Entrances to the Building. 

12. What, if any, impediments to wheelchair use are presented by the 
entrance(s) to the building to which the "accessible" path (or main 
path if no "accessible" path designated) from the parking area leads? 
(Check All That Apply) 
1. Doorway thresholds that exceed 1/2 inch in height; 
2. Single door openings that are less than 32 inches wide; 
3. Double door openings that are less than 32 inches wide, including 
situations in which one of the doors cannot be opened; 
4. Closed doors that would be difficult for a person in a wheelchair 
to open (Please Describe); 
5. Other (Please Specify); 
6. No impediments. 

13. Were you allowed into the polling place? (Check One) 
1. Yes; 
2. No (Stop Here And Go To The Next Polling Place!). 

Route to Voting Room from Inside the Building: 

14. Once you have entered the building, what impediments, if any, are 
there to wheelchair use along the path to the voting room? (Check All 
That Apply) 

Doorways and Entrances that Present Impediments: 
1. One or more doorway thresholds that exceed 1/2 inch in height; 
2. One or more single door openings that are less than 32 inches wide; 
3. One or more double door openings that are less than 32 inches wide, 
including situations in which one of the doors cannot be opened; 
4. One or more closed doors that would be difficult for a person in a 
wheelchair to Steps open (Please Describe); 
5. Other (Please Specify). 

Steps: 

6. Steps required to gain access to the voting room (i.e., no ramp or 
lift): 
a. Steps have handrails that extend at least one foot beyond the 
landing; 
b. Steps have handrails that extend less than one foot beyond the 
landing
c. Steps have no handrails. 

Ramps that Present Impediments: 
7. One or more ramps that have a slope steeper than 1:12; 
8. One or more ramps rising more than 6 inches that lack 2 handrails 
(i.e., one on each side; 
9. One or more ramps that are less than 36 inches wide at any point 
(but can go down to 32 inches wide for a distance of two feet); 
10. Other (Please Specify). 

Corridors that Present Impediments: 
11. One or more corridors that do not provide a clearance of at least 
36 inches (can go down to a clearance of 32 inches for a distance of 
two feet); 
12. Other; 
13. No impediments. 

15. If there was a special path to the voting room for persons with 
disabilities that was different from the path that non-disabled 
persons would generally use, was there a temporary or permanent 
sign(s) clearly indicating that route? (Check One) 
1. Yes, a temporary sign only; 
2. Yes, a permanent sign only; 
3. Yes, both a temporary and a permanent sign; 
4. No, there was no sign clearly indicating that route; 
5. Not applicable, there was no special path. 

16. Is it necessary for a person in a wheelchair or a blind person to 
take an elevator to gain access to the voting room? (Check One) 
1.No (IF "No," Go To Question 18 On Page 10); 
2. Yes. 

17. What impediments, if any, does the elevator present to blind 
persons or persons in a wheelchair? (Check All That Apply) 
1. The center of the outside call button is higher than 48 inches from 
the ground or floor; 
2. The elevator opening is less than 36 inches wide; 
3. The center of the top inside floor button(s) is higher than 48 
inches from the floor of the elevator; 
4. The panel surrounding the inside buttons lacked raised lettering or 
Braille; 
5. Outside or inside elevator buttons require a heat sensor to 
operate, that is, the elevator buttons require human touch to operate; 
(Please Try To Operate By Pressing Buttons With A Pen Or Similar 
Object.) 
6. The inside car is less than 48" by 48;" 
7. Other; 
8. No impediments. 

Voting Room Facilities for Persons with or without Disabilities 18. 
What kind of voting method do voters without disabilities use? (Check 
One) 
1. Electronic; 
2. Paper or mark-sense; 
3. Votomatic punch card; 
4. Datavote punch card; 
5. Machine that uses levers to record vote; 
6. Choice or combination of _____and _____; 
7. Other. 

19. What are the name of the manufacturer and the model number of the 
voting machines used by voters without disabilities? 
Manufacturer: 
Model number: 

20. Are there one or more voting stations specifically designated for 
use by persons with disabilities? (Check One) 
1. Yes; 
2. No (If "No," Go To Item 24). 

21. Is a different type of voting method available to persons with 
disabilities? (Check One.) 
1. Yes (Describe); 
2. No. 

22. Are there different kinds of voting machines available to persons 
with disabilities? (Check One) 
1. Yes (Describe Make And Model #); 
2. No. 

23. In your opinion, do the voting stations specifically designated 
for persons with disabilities provide less privacy than, the same 
privacy as, or more privacy than the voting stations designated for 
non-disabled voters? (Check One) 
1. Less privacy than the voting stations for non-disabled voters; 
2. The same privacy as the voting stations for non-disabled voters; 
3. More privacy than the voting stations for non-disabled voters. 

24. Is the station at which a person with a disability would vote 
configured for voters to stand or sit? (Check One) 
1. Stand (If "Stand," Go To Item 26 On The Next Page); 
2. Sit. 

25. If the station at which a person with a disability would vote is 
configured for seated voting, is there clear knee space underneath 
that is 27 or more inches high, 30 or more inches wide and 19 or more 
inches deep? Is the equipment necessary for voting located 44 inches 
or less above the floor? (Check One For Each.)
1. 27" or more high: 
Yes: 
No: 
2. 30" or more wide: 
Yes: 
No: 
3. 19" or more deep: 
Yes: 
No: 
4. Voting equipment 44" or less above the floor: 
Yes: 
No: 

Now Go To Item 27. 

26. If the station at which a person with a disability would vote is 
one in which non-disabled voters would usually stand, does the station 
have any of the impediments listed below? (Check One For Each) 
1. An entryway that is less than 36 inches wide: 
Yes: 
No: 
2. Thresholds that are more than 1/2 inch in the entryway: 
Yes: 
No: 
3. For a voter reaching forward to cast a vote, at least some of the 
buttons or levers are less than 15 inches above the floor: 
Yes: 
No: 
4. For a voter reaching forward to cast a vote, at least some of the 
buttons or levers are more than 48 inches above the floor: 
Yes: 
No: 
5. For a voter reaching sideways to cast a vote, at least some of the 
buttons or levers are less than 9 inches above the floor: 
Yes: 
No: 
6. For a voter reaching sideways to cast a vote, at least some of the 
buttons or levers are more than 54 inches above the floor: 
Yes: 
No: 

Side bar: 
[In the DCI used in the field, the bolded "18 point" text in questions 
27, 28, 30 and 31 appeared in 18-point font size, in order that GAO 
staff could compare the font size of this text with that used in 
actual voting instructions and sample ballots. End of side bar] 

Aid for Visually Impaired Voters: 

27. Are voting instructions posted that use 18-point or larger type? 
(Check One)
1. Yes, instructions posted with 18 point type or larger; 
2. No. 

28. Are sample ballots posted that use 18-point or larger type? (Check 
One)
1. Yes; 
2. No. 

Questions for Main Precinct Official: 

29. Are you able to interview the main precinct official? (Check One)
1. Yes; 
2. No (Stop Here And Go To The Next Polling Place!). 

30. Do you have voting instructions that use 18-point or larger type 
that are available for voters to use? (Check One)
1. Yes; If so, ask, May I see a set of those instructions?: 
Instructions Shown; 
2. No. 

31. Do you have sample ballots that use 18-point or larger type that 
are available for voters to use? (Check One)
1. Yes; If so, ask, May I see one of those ballots? 
Ballot Shown; 
2. No. 

32. Does the polling place have magnifying devices available that 
visually impaired voters can use? (Check One)
1.Yes; If so, ask, May I see the device (glasses)? 
Device Shown; 
2. No. 

33. Does the polling place have any special equipment available to 
enable a blind person to vote? (Check One) 
1. Yes; 
2. No (IF "No," Go To Item 35). 

34. May I see the equipment that is available? (Check Each Shown.) 
1. Braille sleeve; 
2. Braille paper ballot; 
3. Braille ballot as part of the voting device; 
4. Audio-taped ballot; 
5. Other (Specify). 

35. If a blind person wishes to vote, may that person have a friend 
assist him or her with voting? (Check One.)
1. Yes; 
2. No. 

36. If a person with a disability other than blindness, wishes to vote 
may that person have a friend assist him or her with voting? (Check 
One) 
1. Yes; 
2. No. 

37. If a blind person asks for help with voting, will an election 
official assist him or her? (Check One)
1. Yes; 
2. No. 

38. If a person with a disability, other than blindness, asks for help 
with voting, will an election official assist him or her? (Check One) 
1. Yes; 
2. No. 

39. If a person with a disability arrives at the polling place in a 
car and believes that he or she would have difficulty entering or 
voting at the polling place, what would you do to enable the person to 
vote? (Check All That Are Indicated) 
1.Provide assistance so that the person with a disability could vote 
in the polling place (ASK) What kind of assistance would you provide? 
(Enter Answer)
2. Enable the person to vote in his or her automobile by using the 
same kind of voting device as is used in the polling place; 
3. Enable the person to vote in his or her automobile by using a paper 
ballot; 
4. Other. 

40. (If You Cannot Locate On Or Off Street Parking Designated For 
Persons With Disabilities That Is Associated With This Polling Place 
Ask) Is there on or off street parking associated with this polling 
site that is specifically designated for persons with disabilities 
that is either temporary or permanent? Would you show it to me? (Check 
One) 
1. Yes; Shown (If Necessary, Revise Answers To Items 7-9); 
2. No. 

41. (If You Cannot Locate An Accessible Route From Leaving The Car To 
The Entrance Of The Voting Room Ask) Is there an accessible path from 
the point at which blind persons or persons with disabilities leave 
their car to the entrance of the building? Would you show it to me? 
(Check One) 
1. Yes; Shown (If Necessary, Revise Answers To Items 10 And 11); 
2.No. 

42. (If You Cannot Locate An Entrance That Is Wheelchair Accessible 
Ask:) Is there an entrance to this building that is wheelchair 
accessible? Would you show it to me? (Check One) 
1.Yes; Shown (IF Necessary, Revise Answers To Item 12); 
2. No. 

43. (If You Cannot Locate An Accessible Path From The Entrance To The 
Voting Room Ask:) Is there a path from the entrance of the building to 
the voting room that is accessible to blind persons and persons with 
disabilities? Would you show it to me? (Check One)
1.Yes; Shown (If Necessary, Revise Answers To Items 14 And 15); 
2. No. 

44. Can the voting equipment in the voting stations be lowered? Would 
you show me how this is done? (Check One) 
1. Yes; Shown (If Necessary, Revise Answers To Items 25 Or 26); 
2. No. 

45. I would like to just take a few minutes to review the answers you 
have given to the interview questions. (Quickly Read Back The 
Questions And Answers To The Interview Questions To Check For 
Correctness And Revise Accordingly) 
1. Answers to interview questions reviewed and revised, if necessary. 

46. Additional Notes and Comments: 

[End of section] 

Appendix III: People and Counties Contacted During Our Review: 

Table 7: Representatives of Election Offices in 50 States and the 
District of Columbia: 

State: Alabama; 
Office: Office of Secretary of State; 
Name and title: Vicki Balogh, Director of Elections. 

State: Arizona; 
Office: Office of Secretary of State; 
Name and title: Jessica Funkhouser, Election Director. 

State: Alaska; 
Office: Division of Elections; 
Name and title: Janet Kowalski, Director. 

State: Arkansas; 
Office: State Board of Election Commissioners; 
Name and title: Suzy Stormes, Director. 

State: California; 
Office: Office of Secretary of State; 
Name and title: John Mott-Smith, Chief of Elections Division. 

State: Colorado; 
Office: Office of Secretary of State; 
Name and title: Bill Compton, Director of Elections. 

State: Connecticut; 
Office: Office of Secretary of State; 
Name and title: Thomas Ferguson, Director of Elections. 

State: Delaware; 
Office: Department of Elections; 
Name and title: Tom Cook, Commissioner of Elections. 

State: District of Columbia; 
Office: Board of Elections and Ethics; 
Name and title: Alice P. Miller,Executive Director; 
Name and title: Marvin A. Ford,Chief of Staff; 
Name and title: Tony Bass, Election Operations Manager. 

State: Florida; 
Office: Division of Elections; 
Name and title: L. Clayton Roberts. Director. 

State: Georgia; 
Office: Elections Division; 
Name and title: Linda Beazley, Director. 

State: Hawaii; 
Office: Office of Elections; 
Name and title: Dwayne Yoshina, Chief Elections Officer. 

State: Idaho; 
Office: Elections Division; 
Name and title: Ben Ysursa, Chief Deputy Secretary of State. 

State: Illinois; 
Office: State Board of Elections; 
Name and title: Ron Michaelson, Executive Director. 

State: Indiana; 
Office: Election Commission; 
Name and title: Spencer Valentine. Co-Director. 

State: Iowa; 
Office: Office of the Secretary of State; 
Name and title: Bob Galbraith, Deputy Secretary of State for Elections; 
Name and title: Sandy Steinbach, Director of Elections. 

State: Kansas; 
Office: Office of the Secretary of State; 
Name and title: Brad Bryant, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for 
Elections. 

State: Kentucky; 
Office: State Board of Elections; 
Name and title: Mary Sue Helm, Executive Director. 

State: Louisiana; 
Office: Office of the Secretary of State; 
Name and title: Frances Hurst, Elections/Commissions/Publications 
Administrator; 
Name and title: Warren Ponder, Executive Counsel
Name and title: Pat Stewart, Assistant Administrator. 

State: Maine; 
Office: Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions; 
Name and title: Julie Flynn, Director; 
Name and title: Melissa Packard, Elections Assistant. 

State: Maryland; 
Office: State Administrative Board of Election Laws; 
Name and title: Linda Lamone, Administrator. 

State: Massachusetts; 
Office: Election Division; 
Name and title: Michelle Tassinari, Director of Elections. 

State: Michigan; 
Office: Bureau of Elections; 
Name and title: Bradley S. Wittman, Director of Information and Voter 
Registration. 

State: Minnesota; 
Office: Election Division; 
Name and title: J. Bradley King, Director. 

State: Mississippi; 
Office: Secretary of State for Elections; 
Name and title: Leslie Scott, Assistant. 

State: Missouri; 
Office: Election Division; 
Name and title: Daniel Hayes, Senior Election Specialist. 

State: Montana; 
Office: Office of Secretary of State; 
Name and title: Joe Kerwin, Deputy for Elections. 

State: Nebraska; 
Office: Office of Secretary of State; 
Name and title: Neal Erickson, Assistant Secretary of State. 

State: Nevada; 
Office: Office of Secretary of State; 
Name and title: Susan Morandi, Deputy Secretary of State for Elections. 

State: New Hampshire; 
Office: State Election Office; 
Name and title: Ellen Dube, Elections Assistant. 

State: New Jersey; 
Office: State Election Office; 
Name and title: Sharon Young, Director of Elections Division. 

State: New Mexico; 
Office: State Bureau of Elections; 
Name and title: Denise Lamb, Director of Elections. 

State: New York; 
Office: State Board of Elections; 
Name and title: Thomas R. Wilkey, Executive Director. 

State: North Carolina; 
Office: State Board of Elections; 
Name and title: Gary Bartlett, Executive Director. 

State: North Dakota; 
Office: Office of Secretary of State; 
Name and title: Lee Ann Oliver, Elections Specialist. 

State: Ohio; 
Office: Office of Secretary of State; 
Name and title: Dana Walch, Director of Elections. 

State: Oklahoma; 
Office: State Elections Board; 
Name and title: Lance Ward, Secretary. 

State: Oregon; 
Office: Office of the Secretary of State; 
Name and title: Scott Tighe, Operations Manager. 

State: Pennsylvania; 
Office: Bureau of Commissions, Elections, and Legislation; 
Name and title: Dick Filling, Commissioner of Elections. 

State: Rhode Island; 
Office: State Board of Elections; 
Name and title: Robert Fontaine, Executive Director. 

State: South Carolina; 
Office: State Elections Commission; 
Name and title: Jim F. Hendrix, Executive Director. 

State: South Dakota; 
Office: State Election Office; 
Name and title: Chris Nelson, Election Supervisor. 

State: Tennessee; 
Office: Office of Secretary of State; 
Name and title: Brook Thompson, State Coordinator of Elections. 

State: Texas; 
Office: Office of Secretary of State; 
Name and title: Ann McGeehan, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for 
Elections. 

State: Utah; 
Office: Office of the Lieutenant Governor; 
Name and title: Amy Naccarato, Director of Elections. 

State: Vermont; 
Office: Office of Secretary of State; 
Name and title: Kathy DeWolfe, Director of Elections & Campaign 
Finance. 

State: Virginia; 
Office: State Board of Elections; 
Name and title: Cameron Quinn, Secretary. 

State: Washington; 
Office: Office of Secretary of State; 
Name and title: Charlotte Ottavelli, Elections Assistant. 

State: West Virginia; 
Office: Office of Secretary of State; 
Name and title: Jan Casto, Deputy Secretary of State and Director of 
Elections. 

State: Wisconsin; 
Office: State Elections Board; 
Name and title: Kevin Kennedy Executive Director. 

State: Wyoming; 
Office: Office of Secretary of State; 
Name and title: Peggy Nighswonger, Elections Officer. 

[End of table] 

Table 8: Alphabetical Listing of 100 Randomly Selected Counties: 

Number: 1; 
County: Coffee; 
State: Alabama. 

Number: 2; 
County: Mobile[A]; 
State: Alabama. 

Number: 3; 
County: Alameda; 
State: California. 

Number: 4; 
County: Imperial; 
State: California. 

Number: 5; 
County: Los Angeles; 
State: California. 

Number: 6; 
County: Monterey; 
State: California. 

Number: 7; 
County: Placer; 
State: California. 

Number: 8; 
County: San Bernardino; 
State: California. 

Number: 9; 
County: San Diego; 
State: California. 

Number: 10; 
County: San Mateo; 
State: California. 

Number: 11; 
County: Santa Clara; 
State: California. 

Number: 12; 
County: Tulare; 
State: California. 

Number: 13; 
County: Fairfield[B]; 
State: Connecticut. 

Number: 14; 
County: Brevard; 
State: Florida. 

Number: 15; 
County: Dade; 
State: Florida. 

Number: 16; 
County: Duval; 
State: Florida. 

Number: 17; 
County: Lee; 
State: Florida. 

Number: 18; 
County: Manatee; 
State: Florida. 

Number: 19; 
County: Monroe; 
State: Florida. 

Number: 20; 
County: Pasco; 
State: Florida. 

Number: 21; 
County: Pinellas; 
State: Florida. 

Number: 22; 
County: De Kalb; 
State: Georgia. 

Number: 23; 
County: Forsyth; 
State: Georgia. 

Number: 24; 
County: Gwinnett; 
State: Georgia. 

Number: 25; 
County: Richmond; 
State: Georgia. 

Number: 26; 
County: Cook; 
State: Illinois. 

Number: 27; 
County: Stephenson; 
State: Illinois. 

Number: 28; 
County: Marion; 
State: Indiana. 

Number: 29; 
County: Plymouth; 
State: Iowa. 

Number: 30; 
County: Worth; 
State: Iowa. 

Number: 31; 
County: Johnson; 
State: Kansas. 

Number: 32; 
County: Sedgwick; 
State: Kansas. 

Number: 33; 
County: Wilson; 
State: Kansas. 

Number: 34; 
County: Bracken; 
State: Kentucky. 

Number: 35; 
County: Jefferson; 
State: Kentucky. 

Number: 36; 
County: Kenton; 
State: Kentucky. 

Number: 37; 
County: Hampshire[B]; 
State: Massachusetts. 

Number: 38; 
County: Norfolk[A]; 
State: Massachusetts. 

Number: 39; 
County: Suffolk; 
State: Massachusetts. 

Number: 40; 
County: Berrien; 
State: Michigan. 

Number: 41; 
County: Carlton; 
State: Minnesota. 

Number: 42; 
County: Morrison; 
State: Minnesota. 

Number: 43; 
County: Ramsey; 
State: Minnesota. 

Number: 44; 
County: Jackson; 
State: Mississippi. 

Number: 45; 
County: New Madrid[A]; 
State: Missouri. 

Number: 46; 
County: St. Louis City; 
State: Missouri. 

Number: 47; 
County: St. Louis[A]; 
State: Missouri. 

Number: 48; 
County: Clay; 
State: Nebraska. 

Number: 49; 
County: Washoe; 
State: Nevada. 

Number: 50; 
County: Bergen; 
State: New Jersey. 

Number: 51; 
County: Essex; 
State: New Jersey. 

Number: 52; 
County: Morris; 
State: New Jersey. 

Number: 53; 
County: Union; 
State: New Jersey. 

Number: 54; 
County: Mora[A]; 
State: New Mexico. 

Number: 55; 
County: San Juan[A]; 
State: New Mexico. 

Number: 56; 
County: Kings; 
State: New York. 

Number: 57; 
County: Monroe; 
State: New York. 

Number: 58; 
County: New York; 
State: New York. 

Number: 59; 
County: Niagara; 
State: New York. 

Number: 60; 
County: Rockland; 
State: New York. 

Number: 61; 
County: Saratoga; 
State: New York. 

Number: 62; 
County: Schenectady; 
State: New York. 

Number: 63; 
County: Suffolk; 
State: New York. 

Number: 64; 
County: Guilford; 
State: North Carolina. 

Number: 65; 
County: Henderson; 
State: North Carolina. 

Number: 66; 
County: Mecklenburg; 
State: North Carolina. 

Number: 67; 
County: Auglaize[A]; 
State: Ohio. 

Number: 68; 
County: Franklin[A]; 
State: Ohio. 

Number: 69; 
County: Stark[A]; 
State: Ohio. 

Number: 70; 
County: Trumbull[A]; 
State: Ohio. 

Number: 71; 
County: Oklahoma; 
State: Oklahoma. 

Number: 72; 
County: Pontotoc; 
State: Oklahoma. 

Number: 73; 
County: Allegheny; 
State: Pennsylvania. 

Number: 74; 
County: Bradford; 
State: Pennsylvania. 

Number: 75; 
County: Bucks; 
State: Pennsylvania. 

Number: 76; 
County: Dauphin; 
State: Pennsylvania. 

Number: 77; 
County: Mercer; 
State: Pennsylvania. 

Number: 78; 
County: Monroe[A]; 
State: Pennsylvania. 

Number: 79; 
County: Philadelphia; 
State: Pennsylvania. 

Number: 80; 
County: Union; 
State: Pennsylvania. 

Number: 81; 
County: Orangeburg; 
State: South Carolina. 

Number: 82; 
County: Putnam; 
State: Tennessee. 

Number: 83; 
County: Shelby; 
State: Tennessee. 

Number: 84; 
County: Bexar[A]; 
State: Texas. 

Number: 85; 
County: Brazoria[A]; 
State: Texas. 

Number: 86; 
County: Dallas[A]; 
State: Texas. 

Number: 87; 
County: Tarrant[A]; 
State: Texas. 

Number: 88; 
County: Williamson[A]; 
State: Texas. 

Number: 89; 
County: Davis; 
State: Utah. 

Number: 90; 
County: Chittenden[B]; 
State: Vermont. 

Number: 91; 
County: Arlington; 
State: Virginia. 

Number: 92; 
County: Wythe; 
State: Virginia. 

Number: 93; 
County: Benton; 
State: Washington. 

Number: 94; 
County: Grant; 
State: Washington. 

Number: 95; 
County: King; 
State: Washington. 

Number: 96; 
County: Snohomish; 
State: Washington. 

Number: 97; 
County: Boone; 
State: West Virginia. 

Number: 98; 
County: Marathon; 
State: Wisconsin. 

Number: 99; 
County: Oconto; 
State: Wisconsin. 

Number: 100; 
County: Trempealeau; 
State: Wisconsin. 

[A] For these 15 counties, we visited polling places either before or 
after Election Day. 

[B] For these four counties, we spoke with election officials at the 
subcounty level (such as towns and cities) where responsibility for 
elections lies. 

[End of table] 

Election and Other Officials and Representatives of Disability 
Organizations Whom We Contacted: 

Gary Bartlett: 
Executive Secretary-Director, State Board of Elections, North 
Carolina; Cochair, Election Center's National Task Force on Voting 
Accessibility; and member of National Association of State Election 
Directors (NASED). 

David Baquis: 
Accessibility Specialist, Office of Technical & Information Services, 
U.S. Access Board. 

Penelope Bonsall: 
Director, Office of Election Administration, FEC. 

John Y. Brown, III: 
Secretary of State, Kentucky; and Southern Regional Vice President of 
the National Association of Secretaries of State (NASS). 

Pauline Brunelli: 
Director, Federal Voting Assistance Program, U.S. Department of 
Defense (DOD). 

Brad Bryant: 
Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Elections/Legislative matters, 
Kansas; and Midwest Regional representative, NASED. 

Bryan Casky: 
Assistant State Election Director, Kansas. 

David Capozzi: 
Director, Office of Technical & Information Services, U.S. Access 
Board; and member of the Election Center's National Task Force on 
Voting Accessibility. 

Alfie Charles: 
Chair, California Internet Task Force. 

Kristen Cox: 
Assistant Director, Government Affairs, National Federation of the 
Blind. 

Jim Dickson: 
Vice President, American Association of People with Disabilities and 
Consultant for the National Organization on Disability. 

Jessica Funkhouser: 
Election Director, Arizona Secretary of State's office; and member of 
NASED. 

James Gashel: 
Director of Government Affairs, National Federation of the Blind. 

Tom Goodman: 
Director of Public Affairs, National Association of Counties (NACO). 

Brian Hancock: 
Election Research Specialist, Office of Election Administration, FEC. 

Ernest Hawkins: 
Registrar of Voters, Sacramento County; former President, National 
Association of County Recorders and Clerks (NACRC); Cochair of NACO 
National Commission on Election Standards and Reform; and member of 
the FEC Election Administration Advisory Panel--2001. 

J. Patrick Kelly: 
County Clerk and Recorder, El Paso County; Cochair of NACRC Election 
Interest Group; and member, NACO National Commission on Election 
Standards and Reform. 

Robert Kengle: 
Deputy Chief, Voting Section, Civil Rights Division, DOJ. 

William C. Kimberling: 
Deputy Director, Office of Election Administration, FEC. 

Andrew Lelling: 
Counsel to Assistant Attorney General, Senior Counsel Voting Reform, 
DOJ. 

R. Doug Lewis: 
Executive Director, Election Center; and member of the Election 
Center's National Task Force on Voting Accessibility and NACO National 
Commission on Election Standards and Reform. 

Marsha Mazz: 
Technical Assistance Coordinator and Accessibility Specialist, Office 
of Technical and Information Services, U.S. Access Board. 

Ann McGeehan: 
Texas State Elections Director; NASED President; and member of the 
Election Center's National Task Force on Voting Accessibility. 

Gary McIntosh: 
Former Director of Elections, Washington and former NASED President. 

Michelle Mrozkowski: 
Director, Information and Education, North Carolina State Board of 
Elections. 

Amy Naccarato: 
Director of Elections, Utah; and NASED West Regional Representative. 

Lee Page: 
Associate Advocacy Director, Paralyzed Veterans of America; and 
Cochair, Election Center's National Task Force on Voting Accessibility. 

Carol Paquette: 
Program Analyst, Federal Voting Assistance Program, DOD. 

Cathy Pearsall-Stipek: 
Certified Public Official-Auditor, Pierce County, Washington; 
President, NACRC; member of NACO National Commission on Election 
Standards and Reform. 

Jim Pecht: 
Accessibility Specialist, Office of Technical and Information 
Services, U.S. Access Board. 

Sharon Priest: 
Secretary of State, Arkansas; and President, NASS Leslie Reynolds
Executive Director, NASS. 

Joseph D. Rich: 
Acting Chief, Voting Section, Civil Rights Division, DOJ. 

Mark Richert: 
Government Relations Representative, American Foundation for the 
Blind; and member of the Election Center's National Task Force on 
Voting Accessibility. 

David Scott: 
Policy Analyst, The Council of State Governments; and NASED member. 

Susie Stormes: 
Director, Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners; and NASED 
member. 

Christopher M. Thomas: 
Director, Bureau of Elections, Michigan; and NASED member. 

Brook Thompson: 
Coordinator of Elections, Tennessee; and NASED President-Elect. 

Scott Tighe: 
Operations Manager, Secretary of State, Oregon; and member of the 
Election Center's National Task Force on Voting Accessibility. 

Rebecca Wertz: 
Deputy Chief, Voting Section, Civil Rights Division, DOJ. 

Terrence Williams: 
Information Systems and Services, Federal Voting Assistance Program, 
DOD. 

John L. Wodatch: 
Chief, Disability Rights Section, Civil Rights Division, DOJ. 

[End of section] 

Appendix IV: State Provisions Concerning Voting Accessibility: 

Table 9: State Provisions Concerning Polling Place Accessibility, 
Accommodation of Voting Booth Areas and Equipment, and Aids for 
Visually Impaired Voters: 

State: Alabama; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Policy; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Policy; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *;
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *;
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: *;
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: *;
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *;
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *;
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Policy. 

State: Alaska; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Policy; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Policy; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *;
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Policy; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: *;
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *;
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *;
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Policy. 

State: Arizona; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Policy (n); 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Policy; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Policy; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Policy; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Arkansas; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law (n); 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Policy; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Policy; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: Policy; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Policy. 

State: California; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Policy; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Policy; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Policy; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Policy. 

State: Colorado; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: *[B]; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *;
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *;
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: *; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Connecticut; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Law; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Law; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Policy. 

State: Delaware; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: *;
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *;
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *;
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: *; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *; 

State: District of Columbia; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Policy; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Policy; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *;
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *;
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Policy; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Policy; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Policy. 

State: Florida; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *;
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *;
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: *; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Georgia; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law (n); 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Law (s); 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Hawaii; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: *;
State has polling place accessibility standards: Policy; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *;
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *;
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Policy; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Policy; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Policy. 

State: Idaho; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *;
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *;
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Policy; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Policy; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Illinois; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *;
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: *; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Law; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Law (s); 

State: Indiana; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Policy; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *;
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: *; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Policy;. 

State: Iowa; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Policy; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Policy; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *;
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Law; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Kansas; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *;
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: *; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Kentucky; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law (n); 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Policy; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Policy; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Policy; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: Policy; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: Policy; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Policy. 

State: Louisiana; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Law; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Policy; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Maine; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law (n); 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *;
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *;
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: *; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Law. 

State: Maryland; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Policy; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Law; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Massachusetts; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law (c); 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Law; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Law; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Michigan; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law (n); 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Policy; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Policy; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Law; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Policy. 

State: Minnesota; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *;
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *;
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Law; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*[D]; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Mississippi; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: *;
State has polling place accessibility standards: *;
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *;
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *;
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: *; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Missouri; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: *[E];
State has polling place accessibility standards: *;
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *;
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *;
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: *; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Montana; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Law; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Nebraska; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law (n); 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *;
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *;
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Law; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Nevada; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law (n); 
State has polling place accessibility standards: *;
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Law; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Law; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: Law (s); 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: New Hampshire; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law (n); 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *;
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *;
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Law; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *;. 

State: New Jersey; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: *; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: New Mexico; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law[F] (n); 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Policy; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Law; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Law; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Law (s). 

State: New York; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Law; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Law; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: North Carolina; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Policy; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Policy; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Policy; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Policy; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: Policy; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Policy. 

State: North Dakota; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law (n); 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Policy; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Policy; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Policy; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Policy. 

State: Ohio; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: *; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Law (s); 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Oklahoma; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law (n); 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Policy; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Policy; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Policy; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Law. 

State: Oregon[G]; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law (s); 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Law; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*[H]; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Law (s). 

State: Pennsylvania; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: *; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: *; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: *; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Rhode Island; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: *; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Law; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: Law; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *;. 

State: South Carolina; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law (s); 
State has polling place accessibility standards: *; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: *; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Policy. 

State: South Dakota; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: *; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: *; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: *; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Tennessee; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Policy; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: *; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Texas; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law (n); 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Law; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Law; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: Law (s); 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: Law (s); 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Utah; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: *; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: *; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Law; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Vermont; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law (s); 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Law (s); 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Law; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: Law (s); 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Law (s). 

State: Virginia; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Policy; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Policy; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
Policy; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: Policy; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Policy. 

State: Washington; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Law; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: Law; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Law; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Law (s); 

State: West Virginia; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Policy; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Policy; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Policy; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

State: Wisconsin; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: Law[J]; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: Policy; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: Policy; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: Policy; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: Policy. 

State: Wyoming; 
Polling place accessibility: 
All polling places must/should be accessible[A]: *; 
State has polling place accessibility standards: *; 
Inspections of polling place accessibility required: *; 
Reporting on polling place accessibility required: *; 
Voting booth areas and equipment: 
Voting systems must/should accommodate wheelchairs: *; 
Voting systems must/should accommodate individuals with disabilities: 
*; 
Aids for visually impaired voters: 
Braille ballot or methods of voting must/may be provided: *; 
Ballots with larger type must/may be provided: *; 
Magnifying instruments must/may be provided: *. 

Notes: This analysis does not include provisions related to 
emergencies. 

Law = required by law. 

Policy = required or recommended in written state policy or other 
guidelines. 

*= no provision in law or policy. 

(s) = suggested, recommended, or otherwise allowed by law, but not 
required. 

(n) = no exceptions. 

[A] All polling places must/should be accessible: State provisions may 
allow exceptions if no accessible polling places are available. 

[B] Colorado: At least one polling place within each political 
subdivision must be accessible. 

[C] Massachusetts: A state election official indicated that it is the 
policy of the Secretary of State not to grant exceptions to 
accessibility requirements and, to date, no exemptions have been 
granted. 

[D] Minnesota: Recent legislation authorizes the licensing of touch-
sensitive electronic voting systems for experimental use at an 
election before approval for general use, including at least one 
voting system permitting blind or visually impaired individuals to 
vote independently and privately. The extent of experimental use will 
be determined by the Secretary of State. 

[E] Missouri: Each local election authority may designate one common 
site as an Election Day polling place for accessibility to the 
handicapped and elderly. 

[F] New Mexico: One polling place in each precinct must be accessible. 

[G] Oregon: This is a unique state in that all elections held on the 
date of the biennial primaries and general elections are generally 
conducted by mail balloting. While vote-by-mail is the normal practice 
for federal elections, some polling booths are required and the 
responses shown for Oregon generally reflect traditional voting at a 
polling place. 

[H] Oregon: Public notice must be made of voting aids available. 

[I] South Carolina: Each county election commission (1) is encouraged 
to make every polling place barrier free and (2) shall provide at 
least one polling place in the county free of architectural barriers 
for voters with disabilities. 

[J] Wisconsin: A state election official informed us that they have 
never implemented the statutory authority to exempt polling places 
from accessibility requirements. 

Source: GAO analysis of state statutes, regulations, and other written 
provisions that were identified and obtained by GAO, or were provided 
by state election officials as of July 2001. State policies or 
practices that are unwritten, or for which supporting documentation 
was not provided as of July 2001, were not included in this analysis. 
Election officials in each state reviewed our analysis and provided 
comments and corrections, which we incorporated where appropriate. 

[End of table] 

Table 10: State Provisions Concerning Alternative Voting Methods or 
Accommodations On or Before Election Day: 

State: Alabama; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: *; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law[D]; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: *[E]; 

State: Alaska; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: Law; 
Before Election Day: Law; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: *(d); 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: Law; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: Law; 
Other early voting provisions: Law. 

State: Arizona; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: Policy; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Policy; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Policy; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: Law; 
Before Election Day: Law; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law (q). 

State: Arkansas; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law (p); 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: Law (p); 
Before Election Day: Law (p); 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law (d); 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law (q). 

State: California; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: Law; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: Law 
(r); 
Other early voting provisions: Law (q). 

State: Colorado; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: Law; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: Law[F]; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law (d); 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law (q). 

State: Connecticut; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: Policy; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: *; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Policy; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: Law (p); 
Before Election Day: Law[G] (p); 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law (d); 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: *. 

State: Delaware; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: Law; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: *; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: *; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: *. 

State: District of Columbia; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Policy; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: *; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: Law; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law;. 

State: Florida; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: *; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: Law[H]; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law (d); 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law[I]. 

State: Georgia; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: *; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law (d); 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law (q). 

State: Hawaii; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law. 

State: Idaho; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Policy; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law (q). 

State: Illinois; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: Law; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law (d); 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law (q). 

State: Indiana; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: *; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: Law; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law (d); 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law. 

State: Iowa; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: Policy; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: Law[J]; 
Before Election Day: Law[J]; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: *; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: Law; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law (q). 

State: Kansas; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law (d); 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: Law 
(r); 
Other early voting provisions: Law. 

State: Kentucky; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law (p); 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: Law (p); 
Before Election Day: Law (p); 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: *. 

State: Louisiana; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: Law[K]; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Policy; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: Law[L]; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: Law 
(r); 
Other early voting provisions: Law (q). 

State: Maine; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: 
Before Election Day: Law[M]; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law (d); 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: 
Other early voting provisions: Law. 

State: Maryland; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: Policy; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: *; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: *; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: Law; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: *. 

State: Massachusetts; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law (p); 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: Law[N]; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law (d); 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: 
Other early voting provisions: Law (q). 

State: Michigan; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: Policy; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: *; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Policy; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: Law; 
Before Election Day: Law; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law (d); 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law (q). 

State: Minnesota; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: Law[O]; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law (d); 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: Law; 
Other early voting provisions: Law (q). 

State: Mississippi; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Policy; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: Law (p); 
Before Election Day: Law (p); 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: *; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: Law 
(r); 
Other early voting provisions: Law. 

State: Missouri; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: Law; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: Law 
(r); 
Other early voting provisions: Law. 

State: Montana; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: Law; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Policy; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Policy; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law. 

State: Nebraska; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: * (d); 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: Law; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law. 

State: Nevada; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: Law (p); 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law (d); 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law. 

State: New Hampshire; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: *; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: Policy; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: *. 

State: New Jersey; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: Law; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: *; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law (d); 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: Law; 
Other early voting provisions: *. 

State: New Mexico; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: *; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law. 

State: New York; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: Law; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: *; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: Law[Q]; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: *; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: Law; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: Law 
(r); 
Other early voting provisions: *. 

State: North Carolina; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: Law (d); 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: *; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law. 

State: North Dakota; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: *; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: *; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: Law; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law. 

State: Ohio; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: Law; 
Before Election Day: Law; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law (d); 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law (q). 

State: Oklahoma; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law[R]; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: Law[S]; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law (q). 

State: Oregon[T]; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: Law; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: Law[U]; 
Before Election Day: Law[U]; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: Law; 
Other early voting provisions: Law. 

State: Pennsylvania; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: *; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: Law[V]; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: Law[V]; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: *; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: *. 

State: Rhode Island; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: Law; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law[W]; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: Law[X]; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: 
Law[Y](r); 
Other early voting provisions: *. 

State: South Carolina; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: Policy; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Policy. 

State: South Dakota; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: *; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law (d); 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law. 

State: Tennessee; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: Law; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: *; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: Law; 
Other early voting provisions: Law (q). 

State: Texas; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
*[Z]; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: Law (p); 
Before Election Day: Law (p); 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law (q). 

State: Utah; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: *; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: *; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: Law; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: Law; 
Other early voting provisions: Law. 

State: Vermont; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: Law; 
Before Election Day: Law; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law. 

State: Virginia; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Policy; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Policy; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: Law;. 

State: Washington; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: Law; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: *; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: *; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: Law; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: Law; 
Other early voting provisions: *. 

State: West Virginia; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law[AA]; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: Law[BB]; 
Before Election Day: Law[BB]; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: *; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: Law; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: Law 
(r); 
Other early voting provisions: Law (q). 

State: Wisconsin; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: Policy; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: Law; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: 
Law; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: Law[CC]; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: Law 
(r); 
Other early voting provisions: Law. 

State: Wyoming; 
Notify voters of inaccessible polling places: *; 
Curbside voting available on Election Day: *; 
Alternative and accessible polling places available on Election Day: *; 
Ballot taken to voters' residences: 
On Election Day: *; 
Before Election Day: *; 
Absentee Voting[A}: 
Ballot due before Election Day: In person[B]: *; 
Ballot due before Election Day: By mail: *; 
Ballot due on Election Day: In person[B]: Law; 
Ballot due on Election Day: By mail: Law; 
Mailed ballot may be received after Election Day[C]: *; 
Permanent absentee ballot available to voters with disabilities: *; 
Other early voting provisions: *. 

Notes: This analysis does not include provisions relating to 
emergencies. 

Law = provided by law. 

Policy = provided by policy documents. 

* = no provision. 

(p) = prohibited by law. 

(r) = law includes restrictions. 

(q) = law or policy requires accessibility. 

(d) = law also permits ballot to be delivered by a personal 
representative. Thirteen states-—Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, 
Maine, Michigan, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North 
Dakota, Oklahoma, and Texas—-require all polling places to be 
accessible. 

[A] Absentee voting: Provisions for overseas or military voters are 
not included in this analysis. 

[B] In-person absentee voting: May include provisions for either 
voting in person or personal delivery of ballot or both; we use the 
latest date if they are different. 

[C] Mailed ballots may be received after Election Day: Most of these 
states require ballots to be postmarked on or before Election Day. 

[D] Alabama: Must be postmarked by the day prior to Election Day and 
received by Election Day. 

[E] Alabama: State statute permits early voting on Saturday 10 days 
prior to Election Day only for voters who will be absent on Election 
Day, and does not address early voting by voters with disabilities who 
will be present in the county on Election Day. 

[F] Colorado: When more than five absentee ballots are to be sent to 
the same group residential facility—-nursing home, senior citizen 
housing facility, etc.-—the statute authorizes county clerk employees 
to deliver and return the absentee ballots. However, the statute is 
silent as to when the visits to the nursing homes can occur. 

[G] Connecticut: Ballots cannot be hand-delivered to the voter's home. 
However, if 20 or more patients in a nursing home, residential care 
home, or VA health-care facility wish to vote, registrars of voters 
may supervise absentee voting and early voting at the homes. Absentee 
balloting at the homes must be no later than the last business day 
before the election. 

[H] Florida: The statute permits "supervised" voting at a certain time 
and date in assisted living facilities and nursing homes. The statute 
is silent as to when the voting must occur. 

[I] Florida: Effective January 1, 2002, any qualified and registered 
voter may pick up and vote an absentee ballot in person before 
Election Day at the supervisor of elections' office. 

[J] Iowa: The county auditor must send a bipartisan team to deliver an 
absentee ballot to any resident or patient of a hospital or nursing 
home who requests a ballot. 

[K] Louisiana: Notification requirement applies only to absentee 
voting in person at registrar's office. 

[L] Louisiana: On a fixed day, election officials will go to nursing 
homes so voters can cast their votes. 

[M] Maine: A state election official interprets the statute, 
permitting absentee voting in the presence of the clerk, to permit the 
clerk to take the absentee ballot to a voter's home. Another statute 
establishes early voting at nursing homes. 

[N] Massachusetts: Local election officials may conduct supervised 
absentee voting at a designated health care facility before Election 
Day. 

[O] Minnesota: Permits voting by people with disabilities at nursing 
homes or health-care residences (early absentee voting in front of two 
election judges who come to the facility). 

[P] Nevada: County clerk shall establish at least one polling place 
for a precinct in any residential development exclusively for elderly 
persons if more than 100 of the residents of the development are 
registered to vote, and adequate area is available and the development 
owner consents to the establishment of the polling place. 

[Q] New York: Permits people with disabilities to vote in their 
nursing home if there are at least five residents with disabilities on 
site. 

[R] Oklahoma: Curbside voting is not available to voters whose sole 
impairment is blindness or other type of visual impairment. 

[S] Oklahoma: Voters confined to nursing homes can vote there by 
written ballot, which is delivered and collected by the state. 

[T] Oregon: This is a unique state in that all elections held on the 
date of the biennial primaries and general elections are generally 
conducted by mail balloting. While vote-by-mail is the normal practice 
for federal elections, some polling booths are required and the 
responses shown for Oregon generally reflect traditional voting at a 
polling place. 

[U] Oregon: Any voter with disabilities, upon request, shall receive 
assistance of two persons of different parties provided by the clerk. 
Also, a voter with a physical disability may request assistance; the 
location is negotiable, including home, the elections office, drop 
site locations, or community service center, depending on the voter's 
need. 

[V] Pennsylvania: A ballot received after 5 p.m. on the Friday before 
the election but before the closing of the polls on Election Day is 
valid only for presidential and vice-presidential votes. 

[W] Rhode Island: Curbside voting is permitted if there is no 
alternative accessible location within the city or town. 

[X] Rhode Island: The statute permits election officials to come to a 
nursing home or hospital to deliver ballots and supervise the casting 
of votes and assist where necessary. Ballots are then mailed. 

[Y] Rhode Island: Individuals permanently incapacitated may be put on 
a list to automatically receive absentee ballot applications for 5 
years. 

[Z] Texas: State law requires that all polling places be accessible 
without exception. 

[AA] West Virginia: A state official informed us that curbside voting 
is available only if a polling place is not accessible. 

[BB] West Virginia: Nursing home residents may qualify for emergency 
absentee voting. Election officials may deliver an application and 
ballot to nursing home resident voters no earlier than the 7th day 
preceding the election and no later than noon on Election Day, await 
their completion, and return the completed application and ballot to 
the circuit clerk prior to the close of polls on Election Day. 

[CC] Wisconsin: Residents of nursing homes, retirement homes, and 
certain community-based facilities may vote absentee. Two special 
voting deputies will visit the home or qualified community-based 
residential facility at a prearranged day and time (but no later than 
5 p.m. on the Monday preceding the election) for the purpose of 
supervising absentee voting. 

Source: GAO analysis of state statutes, regulations, and other written 
provisions that were identified and obtained by GAO or were provided 
by state election officials as of July 2001. State policies or 
practices that are unwritten, or for which supporting documentation 
was not provided as of July 2001, were not included in this analysis. 
Election officials in each state reviewed our analysis and provided 
comments and corrections, which we incorporated where appropriate. 

[End of table] 

[End of section] 

Appendix V: Selected Potential Impediments by Location Area: 

Location area and potential impediment: Parking area; 
Percentage of all polling places with impediments in the specified 
location area: 33%. 

Location area and potential impediment: No parking designated for 
people with disabilities; 
Percentage of all polling places with impediments in the specified 
location area: 32%. 

Location area and potential impediment: No parking for any voters 
Percentage of all polling places with impediments in the specified 
location area: 1%. 

Location area and potential impediment: Route from parking area to 
building entrance; 
Percentage of all polling places with impediments in the specified 
location area: 57%. 

Location area and potential impediment: Unpaved or poor surface; 
Percentage of all polling places with impediments in the specified 
location area: 23%. 

Location area and potential impediment: Ramps with slopes greater than 
1:12; 
Percentage of all polling places with impediments in the specified 
location area: 21%. 

Location area and potential impediment: Sidewalk slope steeper than 
1:12; 
Percentage of all polling places with impediments in the specified 
location area: 20%. 

Location area and potential impediment: Unramped or uncut curb(s); 
Percentage of all polling places with impediments in the specified 
location area: 8%. 

Location area and potential impediment: No sidewalk or pathway for 
part of the way; 
Percentage of all polling places with impediments in the specified 
location area: 8% 

Location area and potential impediment: Ramps that measure more than 6 
inches from the ground to their highest point and lack two handrails 
Percentage of all polling places with impediments in the specified 
location area: 6%. 

Location area and potential impediment: Steps have no handrails; 
Percentage of all polling places with impediments in the specified 
location area: 5%. 

Location area and potential impediment: Entrance to the building; 
Percentage of all polling places with impediments in the specified 
location area: 59%. 

Location area and potential impediment: Door thresholds greater than 
1/2-inch in height; 
Percentage of all polling places with impediments in the specified 
location area: 37%. 

Location area and potential impediment: Closed doors that would be 
difficult for a person in a wheelchair to open; 
Percentage of all polling places with impediments in the specified 
location area: 26%. 

Location area and potential impediment: Single-door openings less than 
32 inches wide; 
Percentage of all polling places with impediments in the specified 
location area: 10%. 

Location area and potential impediment: Double-door openings less than 
32 inches wide; 
Percentage of all polling places with impediments in the specified 
location area: 5%. 

Location area and potential impediment: Route from inside of the 
building to the voting room; 
Percentage of all polling places with impediments in the specified 
location area: 14%. 

Location area and potential impediment: Single-door openings less than 
32 inches wide; 
Percentage of all polling places with impediments in the specified 
location area: 5%. 

Location area and potential impediment: Closed doors that would be 
difficult for a person in a wheelchair to open; 
Percentage of all polling places with impediments in the specified 
location area: 3%. 

Notes: Potential impediments listed are those that occurred with the 
greatest frequency. Sampling errors of the listed potential 
impediments range from 2 to 8 percentage points at the 95-percent 
confidence level. 

Source: GAO analysis of polling place data collected on Nov. 7, 2000. 

[End of table] 

[End of section] 

Appendix VI: Issues and Challenges Related to Voting Accommodations 
and Alternatives: 

Accommodations and alternatives: Curbside voting: Allow voters who 
cannot enter the polling place to vote at the curbside of their 
neighborhood polling place; 
Advantages and disadvantages for voters: 
Advantage: 
* Voters with disabilities may be able to vote outside their 
neighborhood polling places on Election Day; 
Disadvantages-—some voters with disabilities: 
* may see this accommodation as unequal treatment and may prefer to 
vote as others in the polling room; 
* may not want to draw special attention and feel that this represents 
a loss of dignity or independence; 
* may not be able to cast a secret ballot; 
* may have difficulty voting if a poll worker is unavailable to 
provide assistance or weather is inclement; 
Challenges for election officials: 
* Provide and train staff at each polling place to ensure that voters 
who cannot enter the building are able to vote; 
* May require changing laws that prohibit using this accommodation. 

Accommodations and alternatives: Reassignment: Allow voters to use 
another polling place on Election Day when their neighborhood polling 
place is not accessible; 
Advantages and disadvantages for voters: 
Advantage: 
* Voters with disabilities have an accessible polling place for voting 
on Election Day; 
Disadvantages—-voters with disabilities may need to make an extra 
effort to: 
* Become aware of accessibility problems and arrange reassignment with 
the election office; 
* Travel farther to vote than other voters in their precinct; 
Challenges for election officials: 
* Identify polling places that may prevent access for some voters and 
communicate this issue to them so that they can arrange reassignment; 
* Identify an accessible polling place; 
* Provide appropriate ballots at reassigned polling place; 
* Train poll workers to handle a reassigned voter. 

Accommodations and alternatives: Superprecincts: Locate the polling 
place for more than one precinct within the same building on Election 
Day;  
Advantages and disadvantages for voters: 
Advantage: 
* Voters with disabilities have an accessible polling place for voting 
on Election Day; 
* Voters with disabilities are not required to travel farther than 
others; 
Disadvantage: 
* Some voters may be required to travel outside of their neighborhood 
to vote; 
Challenges for election officials: 
* Find an accessible facility that has sufficient space for voting and 
parking and will not require excessive travel for most voters. 

Accommodations and alternatives: Early voting: Allow voters to use one 
or more central sites sometimes for a week or more, just before 
Election Day; 
Advantages and disadvantages for voters: 
Advantage: 
* Voters are provided with a more flexible time period for voting; 
* Some voters with disabilities may find that these sites offer better 
access and voting equipment that allow them to vote independently; 
Disadvantages: 
* Voters with disabilities may prefer that the traditional polling 
places used on Election Day be fully accessible; 
* Voters would not have access to latebreaking information on 
candidates and ballot measures prior to casting their ballot. 
Challenges for election officials: 
* Establish sites and provide staff and resources, such as voting 
equipment and different ballot types; 
* Mitigate any increased opportunity for fraudulent voting. 

Accommodations and alternatives: Less-restrictive absentee voting: 
Allow less-restrictive use of absentee ballots, such as not requiring 
a reason to use temporary absentee ballots or allowing permanent 
absentee ballots; 
Advantages and disadvantages for voters: 
Advantage: 
* Voters have the convenience of being able to vote from home and 
greater flexibility in choosing when to vote; 
Disadvantages
* Voters, especially those needing assistance, may have a greater 
potential for experiencing inappropriate influence from other 
household members when voting; 
* Some voters with disabilities may find that requirements in some 
states for using permanent absentee voting (for example, providing 
doctor’s certification) discourage use of this option; 
* Some voters with disabilities may prefer that the traditional 
polling places used on Election Day be fully accessible; 
* Voters would not have access to latebreaking information on 
candidates and ballot measures. 
Challenges for election officials: 
* Provide additional staff and other resources necessary to 
accommodate the expansion of absentee voting, such as for mailing, 
receiving, and counting additional absentee votes; 
* Develop procedures to maintain an accurate list of absentee voters; 
* Balance providing voter convenience with fraud control. 

Accommodations and alternatives: Universal vote-by-mail: Mail ballots 
to voters who can return them by mail or deposit them at designated 
locations, with exceptions for those who are unable to vote without 
assistance; 
Advantages and disadvantages for voters: 
Advantages: 
* Voters are allowed to vote from their own home and within an 
expanded time frame; 
* Voters are provided with uniform statewide voting access that 
provides equal treatment for all; 
Disadvantages: 
* Voters who prefer using a polling place may resist this method; 
* Voters may have increased potential for inappropriate influence from 
other household members; 
Challenges for election officials: 
* Assure uniformity of statewide system, if implemented at the state 
level; 
* Demonstrate reliability and security; 
* Provide staff and other resources necessary for maintaining an 
accurate list of voters and addresses as well as mailing, receiving, 
verifying, and counting votes; 
* Rely upon postal service to provide timely delivery of ballots; 
* Provide another option for those who cannot use this method without 
assistance, such as sending staff to the residence of a voter with a 
disability. 

Accommodations and alternatives: 
Internet voting: Allow voters to cast a ballot using the Internet; 
implementation may be in several phases, starting at polling places 
and potentially expanding to kiosks and other remote locations, such a 
voter’s home or office; 
Advantages and disadvantages for voters: 
Advantages: 
* Voters are provided greater flexibility to vote when they want and 
from convenient locations, if remote Internet voting is allowed; 
* Blind individuals may be able to vote independently with special 
equipment and a web site that has been designed to provide universal 
access, per federal standards; 
Disadvantages: 
* Voters who are accustomed to traditional methods may resist this 
method; 
* Voters who lack a convenient connection to the Internet may not have 
equal access to voting; 
* Blind voters may need special equipment to allow them to use the 
Internet; 
Challenges for election officials: 
* Take steps (for example, pilot testing and certification) to ensure 
that the system is secure, reliable, cost effective, and accessible to 
disabled voters and that it allows voters to cast a secret ballot; 
* Develop operational procedures and train workers to ensure 
sufficient technical support to maintain equipment and assist voters; 
* Educate public on security features and use of system; 
* Wait for technological improvements to ensure voter identity, 
secrecy, and integrity of the votes, if remote access is allowed; 
* Protect equipment from vandalism or tampering, if public kiosks are 
used; 
* Ensure widespread availability of Internet access, if remote access 
is allowed. 

Source: GAO analysis of comments by officials of organizations that 
represent the interests of election officials and people with 
disabilities. 

[End of table] 

[End of section] 

Appendix VII: GAO Contacts and Staff Acknowledgments: 

GAO Contacts: 
Barbara D. Bovbjerg, (202) 512-7215: 
Carol Dawn Petersen, (202) 512-7215: 

Staff Acknowledgments: 

In addition to those named above, the following individuals made 
significant contributions to this report: Michele Grgich, Alicia 
Puente Cackley, Julie DeVault, Gretta L. Goodwin, Stephen S. Langley 
III, Robert Tomco, Margaret Boeckmann, James Wright, Joel Grossman, 
and Patrick DiBattista, Education, Workforce, and Income Security 
Issues; Joan Vogel, Grant Mallie, and Art Kendall, Applied Research 
and Methods; Dayna K. Shah and Behn Miller, General Counsel. Numerous 
staff from headquarters and field offices who collected data for this 
report also made important contributions. 

[End of section] 

Footnotes: 

[1] See the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act, 
42 U.S.C. section 1973ee et seq. 

[2] Exceptions are also allowed in the case of an emergency, as 
determined by the chief election officer of the state. See 42 U.S.C. 
section1973ee-1(b)(1). 

[3] 42 U.S.C. section 1973ee-1(b)(2)(B). 

[4] In this report, we define alternative voting method to be any 
voting method other than traditional in-person voting at a polling 
place on Election Day. Alternative voting methods include early voting 
and absentee voting, which may be available to all voters. We use the 
term accommodations to refer to measures mainly intended to facilitate 
voting for people with disabilities. Accommodations provided at the 
polling place include curbside voting (whereby a ballot is brought 
outside the polling place to a voter who is unable to enter the 
polling place), poll worker assistance, Braille or large-type ballots 
or instructions, and other visual or audio aids. Other accommodations 
made available outside the traditional polling place include 
reassignment to accessible polling places and permanent absentee 
voting. 

[5] This report focuses on access to voting for people with physical 
disabilities, but does not specifically address access for voters with 
hearing impairments. It also does not address access to voter 
registration. 

[6] We drew our sample of 100 counties using the Census Bureau's 
Population Estimates for Counties by Age and Sex: Annual Time Series 
(for 1998), which included a total of 3,074 counties or statistically 
similar subdivisions. We did not include counties outside the 
contiguous United States for reasons of cost and efficiency, or 
counties in Oregon because, since 1998, elections in this state have 
been conducted almost exclusively by mail. The 100 counties in our 
sample are located in 33 states. 

[7] In most states, responsibility for conducting elections is 
entrusted to county election officials. For the 100 counties, we 
generally contacted county election officials. However, in four 
counties we contacted election officials at a subcounty level, such as 
towns and cities, where the responsibility for elections resided, and 
then combined their responses to create county-level responses. 

[8] Sampling errors for these data generally range from 3 to 10 
percentage points, unless otherwise noted in this report. 

[9] The 496 polling places we visited on Election Day were located in 
85 of the 100 counties. We visited an additional 89 polling places in 
15 counties before or after Election Day because we were unable to 
gain access to polling places in these counties on Election Day. 
Because we were unable to visit these polling places on Election Day, 
we were only able to collect partial data at these sites. See appendix 
I for an analysis of these data. 

[10] Because a single set of access standards for polling places does 
not exist, we incorporated into our data collection instrument 
criteria from the following federal and nonfederal accessibility 
guidelines: the 1991 Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility 
Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities; the ADA Guide for Small 
Towns; the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) accessibility 
guidelines; and accessibility documents published by the Federal 
Election Commission (FEC), and the National Organization on 
Disability, and the National Task Force on Accessible Elections. See 
appendix I for more information on the development of the data 
collection instrument. 

[11] Sampling errors for county survey data generally range from 4 to 
25 percentage points. We generally present the lower bound of the 
estimate when the sampling error is large. 

[12] For analytical purposes we treated the District of Columbia as a 
state, resulting in a total of 51 states. 

[13] Although our results are representative of all polling places in 
the United States, they may not be representative of all polling 
places in any individual state. 

[14] Although curbside voting is not available at a number of polling 
places with potential impediments, as noted earlier all states have 
provisions for absentee voting, and many states provide for other 
alternative voting methods or accommodations, which may facilitate 
voting by people with disabilities on or before Election Day. 

[15] Although we did not observe such aids on Election Day, some 
county officials told us that, upon request, they try to provide 
special aids so that blind individuals can vote independently. We may 
not have observed these aids on Election Day because they may not have 
been requested in advance by voters in the polling places that we 
visited or the local poll workers we interviewed may not have been 
aware of these aids. 

[16] These national organizations include the National Association of 
State Election Directors, the Election Center's National Task Force on 
Voting Accessibility, the National Association of County Recorders and 
Clerks, the American Foundation for the Blind, and the Paralyzed 
Veterans of America. 

[17] Federal elections are held on the first Tuesday after the first 
Monday in November in even-numbered years. In the interests of 
convenience and economy, most states and many local jurisdictions also 
hold many of their elections on federal Election Day. 

[18] Data are from the National Association of Secretaries of State 
Election Reform Resolution, Feb. 6, 2001, [hyperlink, 
http://www.nass.org/pubs/pubs_electionres.html] (cited Mar. 26, 2001). 

[19] For example, the FEC's Office of Election Administration worked 
with industry experts to establish a voluntary set of standards for 
computer-based voting equipment in 1990. 

[20] For a broader review of federal laws affecting elections, see 
Elections: The Scope of Congressional Authority in Election 
Administration [hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov/products/GAO-01-470], 
Mar. 13, 2001. 

[21] 42 U.S.C. section 1973ee et seq. 

[22] The Senate Report which accompanied the VAEHA noted that 
"...other means for casting a ballot could include, but would not be 
limited to, curbside voting or voting with an absentee ballot on the 
day of the election." See S. Rep. No. 98-590, at 2 (1984). 

[23] Specifically, under the VAEHA, no notarization or medical 
certification shall be required of a voter with a disability with 
respect to an absentee ballot or an application for such ballot, 
except that a state may require medical certification to establish 
eligibility for a permanent absentee application or ballot, or to 
apply for an absentee ballot after the deadline has passed (42 U.S.C. 
section 1973ee-3(b)). In addition, each state shall make available 
voting aids at all polling places, including large-print instructions, 
and the chief election officer shall provide public notice, calculated 
to reach affected voters, of the availability of aids (42 U.S.C. 
section 1973ee-3(a) and (c)). 

[24] 42 U.S.C. sections 12131 to12134. Title II, Subtitle A, covers 
all activities of state and local governments, regardless of the 
government entity's size or receipt of federal funding. 

[25] 28 C.F.R. section 35.150(b)(1). All newly constructed public 
buildings where construction commenced after Jan. 26, 1992, must be 
readily accessible to individuals with disabilities (28 C.F.R. section 
35.151(a)). Alterations to existing facilities commenced after Jan. 
26, 1992, must also be readily accessible to the maximum extent 
feasible (28 C.F.R. section 35.151(b)). 

[26] Under "Project Civic Access," the Department of Justice reached 
agreements with a number of cities and towns to open up civic life, 
including voting, to people with disabilities. Some agreements require 
altering polling places or providing curbside or absentee balloting. 
U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Disability Rights 
Section, Enforcing the ADA: A Status Report from the Department of 
Justice, Washington, D.C.: (Apr.-Sept. 2000). 

[27] Exempted from these requirements generally are private clubs and 
religious organizations, including places of worship. 

[28] 28 C.F.R. section 36.302(a). 

[29] For example, the accommodation can rearrange furniture or provide 
curb service or home delivery (28 C.F.R. section 36.305). It may also 
widen a doorway to a narrower width or install a ramp with a steeper 
slope than is permitted by ADA accessibility guidelines (28 C.F.R. 
section 36.304(d)(2)). 

[30] 28 C.F.R. sections 36.401 to 36.406 (requirement applies to new 
construction with certificates of occupancy issued after Jan. 26, 
1993, or alteration commenced after Jan. 26, 1992). 

[31] 42 U.S.C. section 1973aa-6. However, the VRA prohibits assistance 
provided by the voter's employer or an agent of that employer, or an 
officer or agent of the voter's union. 

[32] Douglas L. Kruse, Kay Schriner, Lisa Schur, and Todd Shields, 
Empowerment Through Civic Participation: A Study of the Political 
Behavior of People With Disabilities, Final Report to the Disability 
Research Consortium, Bureau of Economic Research, Rutgers University 
and New Jersey Developmental Disabilities Council (Apr. 1999). This 
study involved a national telephone survey of 1,240 Americans of 
voting age. The sample was based on a random selection of households 
and was stratified to include 700 people with disabilities. 

[33] Jack McNeil, Americans with Disabilities: 1997. U.S. Census 
Bureau Current Population Reports (Feb. 2001), pp. 9, 11. Data used in 
this report are from 1997. An analysis of more recent data was not 
available as of July 2001. 

[34] S.511 sought to amend the VAEHA to ensure that all polling 
methods selected and used for federal elections are accessible to 
elderly voters and voters with disabilities. 

[35] Voting: A Constitutional Right for All Citizens—-A Guidebook to 
Assist Election Officials to Achieve Equal Access for AU Citizens to 
the Polling Place and the Ballot was published in 1999 by the National 
Task Force on Accessible Elections, initiated by the Election Center. 
The guidebook was based on a previous document originally published in 
1986 by the National Organization on Disability and updated in 1987 by 
the National Easter Seal Society. 

[36] For example, H.R. 263, S.379, and S.565 call for the 
establishment of commissions to study or advise on, among other 
things, how to improve voting accessibility; and H.R.1151 directs the 
FEC to issue voluntary standards and make grants to improve the 
accessibility of voting. In addition, about 1,700 bills concerning 
election reform have been introduced in state legislatures around the 
country. 

[37] The FEC 1990 standards address only computer-based systems; aside 
from electronic tabulation machines, they do not address paper or 
punch card ballots as used by the voter, or mechanical voting 
machines. The standards are voluntary; states are free to adopt them 
in whole or in part, or reject them entirely. As of Apr. 2001, 35 
states have adopted at least some part of FEC's 1990 voting system 
standards. At this time, it cannot be known how many states will adopt 
FEC's revised standards. 

[38] The IEEE-SA is the Institute of Electrical and Electronics 
Engineers, Inc. Standards Association. 

[39] This state's requirements do not cover disabilities involving the 
combined and complete loss of both hearing and vision because, 
according to the state, the technology has not yet been developed that 
will allow a voter with this combination of disabilities to cast a 
secret ballot. 

[40] Examples of temporary modifications include portable ramps and 
temporary signs to designate accessible parking areas and entryways 
for people with disabilities. Permanent modifications include curb 
cuts and paved parking lots to accommodate wheelchairs. 

[41] Some states do require that absentee voting ballots be witnessed 
by one or two persons. Also, some states that allow absentee ballots 
or applications to be sent automatically to voters with disabilities 
require a medical certificate to establish eligibility. 

[42] Some states may not have provisions for certain accommodations or 
alternative voting methods because they require all polling places to 
be accessible. 

[43] About 12 percent of all polling places have no potential 
impediments and offer curbside voting. 

[44] For example, a number of states allow absentee ballots to be cast 
by mail on Election Day. In addition, some state laws and policies 
allow ballots to be taken to voters' residences on or before Election 
Day, or allow voters to cast their ballots at another location that is 
accessible on Election Day. 

[45] The 1991 Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines 
for Buildings and Facilities require that slopes on sidewalks/pathways 
or ramps rise no more than 1 inch over a 12-inch distance; that is, a 
slope no steeper than 1:12. The Guidelines are generally mandatory for 
new construction and for alterations of public buildings, places of 
public accommodations such as private schools, and commercial 
facilities. Places of worship are exempt. 

[46] As noted previously, Title II, Subtitle A, which applies to state 
and local governments, requires that public programs, services, and 
activities be accessible to individuals with disabilities (42 U.S.C. 
sections 12131 to 12134). Title III requires reasonable modifications 
in policies, practices, or procedures to be made by public 
accommodations to achieve accessibility for people with disabilities 
(42 U.S.C. section 12182(b)). Also, new construction and alteration of 
existing facilities by state and local governments, public 
accommodations, and commercial facilities generally must be readily 
accessible to individuals with disabilities (42 U.S.C. section 
12183(b)(2)). 

[47] Sampling error of +/- 6 percentage points at the 95-percent 
confidence level. 

[48] We identified these challenges from interviews with election 
officials and representatives of disability organizations. We did not 
observe whether voters encountered difficulties using these methods. 

[49] As noted previously, under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, as 
amended, voters requiring assistance to vote may be given assistance 
by a person of their choosing, such as a friend or an election 
official. 

[50] Sampling error of +/- 11 percentage points at the 95-percent 
confidence level. 

[51] Sampling error of +/- 11 percentage points at the 95-percent 
confidence level. 

[52] A Braille sleeve is an overlay that covers a ballot, or a sheath 
into which a ballot is inserted. The sleeve is aligned so that the 
Braille corresponds to the items on the ballot. A person marks through 
the sleeve in order to cast his/her vote. 

[53] Sampling errors range from 5 to 11 percentage points at the 95-
percent confidence level. 

[54] Sampling error of +/- 13 percentage points at the 95-percent 
confidence level. 

[55] Sampling errors for the side and forward-reach findings are +/- 
17 percentage points at the 95-percent confidence level. 

[56] Currently, a number of counties are looking to acquire new voting 
systems—electronic voting equipment or optical scanning systems. In 
comparing these systems, in addition to initial costs, counties would 
likely consider recurring costs (such as the cost of printing ballots, 
programming, training staff, operating and maintaining equipment, and 
storage) as well as other factors (such as reliability, security, 
voter accessibility, and ease of use and administration). An upcoming 
GAO report will provide information on the cost, security, efficiency, 
accuracy, and ease of use of voting systems. 

[57] These attachments vary by manufacturer and might include audio 
features for voters who are blind or visually impaired, or features 
that would allow people with severe disabilities to vote using 
breathing or head movements. 

[58] Special aids for the blind may not have been observed on Election 
Day because they may not have been requested in advance by voters in 
the polling places that we visited or the local poll workers we 
interviewed may not have been aware of these aids. 

[59] No excuse" absentee voting is available to all voters—-that is, 
voters do not need to give a reason to vote absentee. 

[60] There have been several Internet voting pilots and demonstrations 
in the last 2 years, including (1) the Republican Party straw poll in 
Alaska; (2) the Presidential Primary in Thurston, Washington; (3) the 
Democratic Party Primary in Arizona; and (4) the Presidential 
Election, in which the Department of Defense piloted on-line voting 
for about 100 personnel from the states of South Carolina, Florida, 
Texas, and Utah. In other pilot tests, four counties in California 
held on-line voting demonstrations prior to Election Day and one 
county in Arizona held them on Election Day. 

[61] These phases might include first offering Internet voting only at 
polling places, where election officials could better ensure the 
security and reliability of the connection, and then expanding it to 
kiosks and other remote locations. See California Internet Voting Task 
Force, A Report on the Feasibility of Internet Voting (Jan. 2000); and 
Internet Policy Institute, Report of the National Workshop on Internet 
Voting: Issues and Research Agenda (March 2001). 

[62] Selection of the counties is discussed in the next section on 
selection of polling places. 

[63] Some interviews with county officials before Election Day covered 
only the logistics of our visits, and in these cases all other 
questions were covered in the second interview. 

[64] Some counties were unable to respond to some of our questions; 
the data from these questions therefore yielded inconclusive results 
and are not included in this report. 

[65] To identify counties we used the Census Bureau's Population 
Estimates for Counties by Age and Sex: Annual Time Series (1998). From 
this database we pulled the Federal Information Processing Standard 
codes for counties and other entities treated as legal and/or 
statistical subdivisions. The following entities are listed by the 
U.S. Census Bureau as equivalent to counties: parishes in Louisiana; 
the District of Columbia; and the independent cities in Maryland, 
Missouri, Nevada, and Virginia. 

[66] In the states where elections were administered at the township 
level, we contacted all townships within the selected county and asked 
for their listings of polling places. In some cases we found polling 
place lists on county or township Web sites. 

[67] Sampling errors for the county-level data had a wider range 
(generally between 4 and 25 percentage points) than the errors 
associated with the national polling place data because we used a 
probability proportional to size sampling method to select the 
counties. 

[68] The ADA Accessibility Stick WM is supplied by Access, Inc., 
Lawrence, Kan. 

[69] In addition, if the teams did not locate an accessible parking 
area, route, entrance, or pathway, they were instructed to ask the 
poll worker in charge of the polling place whether one existed and, if 
so, to show it to them. The teams were instructed to then revise the 
DCI where appropriate. 

[70] GAO teams disclosed the location of the polling places to the 
escorts on the morning of the site visits. 

[71] See appendix III for a list of the counties we visited. 

[72] The Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board 
(otherwise known as the Access Board) is responsible for developing 
access guidelines for the design, construction, and alteration of 
buildings and facilities subject to the ADA. Although new amendments 
to the guidelines were proposed in 1998, they had not been approved 
and added to the standards enforceable by the Department of Justice by 
Nov. 7, 2000. 

[73] The ANSI's Standard A117.1-1998 was created to allow a person 
with a physical disability to independently get to, enter, and use a 
site, facility, building, or element. 

[74] U.S. Department of Justice, ADA Guide for Small Towns, Civil 
Rights Division, Disability Rights Section (Apr. 2000). 

[75] Federal Election Commission, Polling Place Accessibility Survey 
Form, Polling Place Accessibility in the 1992 General Election. 

[76] The guidebook, Voting: A Constitutional Right for AU Citizens, 
contains guidelines for making polling places and voting equipment 
accessible for people with disabilities. It was published in 1999 by 
the National Task Force on Accessible Elections, initiated by the 
Election Center. The guidebook was based on a previous document 
originally published in 1986 by the National Organization on 
Disability and updated in 1987 by the National Easter Seal Society. 

[77] We were unable to conduct this interview in 2.5 percent of 
polling places. 

[End of section] 

Ordering Information: 

The first copy of each GAO report is free. Additional copies of
reports are $2 each. A check or money order should be made out to
the Superintendent of Documents. VISA and MasterCard credit
cards are accepted, also. 

Orders for 100 or more copies to be mailed to a single address are
discounted 25 percent. 

Orders by mail: 

U.S. General Accounting Office: 
P.O. Box 37050: 
Washington, DC 20013: 

Orders by visiting: 
Room 1100: 
700 4th St. NW (corner of 4th and G Sts. NW): 
U.S. General Accounting Office: 
Washington, DC: 

Orders by phone: 
(202) 512-6000: 
fax: (202) 512-6061: 
TDD (202) 512-2537: 

Each day, GAO issues a list of newly available reports and
testimony. To receive facsimile copies of the daily list or any list
from the past 30 days, please call (202) 512-6000 using a touchtone
phone. A recorded menu will provide information on how to obtain
these lists. 

Orders by Internet: 
For information on how to access GAO reports on the Internet,
send an e-mail message with “info” in the body to: 
info@www.gao.gov; 

or visit GAO’s World Wide Web home page at: 
[hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov]. 

To Report Fraud, Waste, or Abuse in Federal Programs Contact one: 

* Web site: [hyperlink, http://www.gao.gov/fraudnet/fraudnet.htm] 
* e-mail: fraudnet@gao.gov: 
* 1-800-424-5454 (automated answering system): 

[End of document]