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All Americans have the constitutional right to choose their elected officials. Yet many citizens find it difficult, or impossible, to cast a private and independent vote.
In recent years, much attention has been given to the need for architecturally accessible polling places. Now, Pennsylvania counties must assure that voting systems themselves are accessible to citizens, regardless of disability. The Department of State is requiring every county to have voter verifiable paper record systems selected by Dec. 31; preferably by the November 2019 general election.
Machines must have three features that make the voting process more inclusive. First, they must be located at an accessible height with no obstructions underneath. Second, there must be audio capabilities (via headphones), whereby citizens who are blind can hear a list of races and candidates. Third, they must accommodate people with low vision by having adjustable print size.
It is encouraging to see some counties have scheduled public information sessions for citizens to observe and experiment with machines under consideration. MyCIL Center for Independent Living strongly encourages the Luzerne County Election Bureaus to seek input from people with disabilities to insure access for all.
Keith Williams
Advocacy & Outreach Coordinator
Center for Independent Living
Serving Luzerne County