How Maine is making it easier for voters with disabilities to participate in elections
There can be many barriers to voting for people with disabilities, from transportation to filling out a paper ballot, but the Maine Department of the Secretary of State wants to ensure that all eligible voters can participate in elections.
Our elections are best when everyone has a chance to make their voice heard at the ballot box, Secretary of State Shenna Bellows said in a news release.
Following the 2023 election, Disability Rights Maine visited 160 polling places across all 16 counties and found that 79 just about half of them werent in compliance with accessibility laws. The group published a report with their findings that outlined the most common violations such as poor signage for accessible entrances and parking spaces, explained Molly Thompson, a voting access advocate.
Luckily, the vast majority of barriers can be fixed with simple solutions, Thompson said.
https://mainemorningstar.com/2024/09/15/how-maine-is-making-it-easier-for-voters-with-disabilities-to-participate-in-elections/