Ensuring Every Voice is Heard: Accessible Voting for Disabled Americans

By George H. Fleischner, President/CEO, Nonotuck Resource Associates Inc. and Nonotuck’s Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging Committee

As Americans prepare to cast their ballots in this November’s historically close election, where every vote is crucial, it’s important to consider the voices of a group that often goes unheard: disabled voters. Despite the progress made since the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, people with disabilities still face significant challenges when voting. A 2023 survey by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) revealed that one in five voters with disabilities needed assistance or encountered difficulties in 2022—three times the rate of voters without disabilities.

Moreover, a 2022 audit by Detroit Disability Power found that only 12% of the city’s polling places had accessible parking, entrances, wheelchair-height voting booths, and accessible voting machines. Even when polling places had accessible booths, they often lacked privacy, and poll workers were not always trained to assist with accessible voting machines.

Disabled voters’ needs often seem secondary or ignored in public discussions. Mail-in voting, for instance, is frequently politicized, but it’s rarely acknowledged that many people with disabilities rely on it, either because they cannot vote in person or to avoid the challenges of navigating polling places.

Similarly, the debate over voter ID laws rarely addresses their disproportionate impact on people with disabilities, especially those who don’t drive or have standard forms of identification. Obtaining valid ID can be difficult due to mobility limitations or the need for help navigating bureaucratic processes.

The situation appears to be worsening. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, since 2020, there has been a surge in laws that restrict voting options, including those critical to people in the disability community, such as mail-in voting and support services.

When it comes to voting, a rising tide lifts all boats. We can only claim to be a true democracy if every vote is cast with ease and dignity. The more inclusive our voting process, the more reflective our leadership becomes, moving us closer to a truly representative democracy.

We must advocate for policies that prioritize accessibility at the polls, from ensuring all polling places meet ADA standards to training staff on how to operate accessible voting machines. Lawmakers should enact inclusive voting laws that don’t disproportionately impact disabled people. Supporting disability rights organizations, raising awareness, and volunteering as poll workers or advocates are all essential steps in this effort.

By fighting for accessible voting, we strengthen our democracy and ensure that every voice is heard.