The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan today announced a settlement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with the city of Ecorse, Michigan, to ensure accessibility for individuals with disabilities at all of the city’s polling places. The case was commenced under the Justice Department’s compliance review authority.
Under the terms of the settlement, the city of Ecorse will make temporary and permanent changes to all of its polling places to make them accessible on Election Day before the November 2016 election. The settlement also requires that accessibility based on ADA standards will be a major criterion in the city’s selection of future polling places and so going forward, the city of Ecorse will select only polling place locations that are accessible on Election Day. The city of Ecorse will also provide training to poll workers.
“The ADA requires that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to cast their votes at their neighborhood polling place. We are pleased that this agreement will ensure that the citizens of Ecorse can take an active part in our democracy." said Barbara L. McQuade, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Title II of the ADA prohibits public entities, such as the city of Ecorse, from discriminating against people with disabilities in their programs, services and activities. With respect to polling places, public entities are required to select and use polling places that are accessible. More information about this settlement and the ADA is available at the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TTY) and via the ADA website at http://www.ada.gov or the U.S. Attorney’s civil rights hotline at 313-226-9151.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
