Acting United States Attorney Steve Butler of the Southern District of Alabama announced today that the U.S. Attorney’s Office recently reached an agreement with the Clarke County Commission to ensure that polling precincts throughout the county are in compliance with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
During the general election on November 8, 2016, the office conducted a compliance review of the county’s 29 polling locations. The review identified barriers to access at various locations. Through a letter of resolution, the county ultimately adopted the office’s recommendations to remedy the barriers, in accordance with the requirements of the ADA. One example is the use of temporary portable ramps to assist voters with mobility impairments. The resolution also requires the county to develop a survey instrument to assess whether a polling location is or can be made accessible during subsequent local, state and federal elections.
Acting United States Attorney Butler said, “I commend the members of the Clarke County Commission for their cooperation in resolving the barrier issues we uncovered at the various voting precincts around the county. They recognize that making their polling places accessible to persons with disabilities is a critical responsibility."
Title II of the ADA requires state and local governments to ensure that persons with disabilities can access their voting facilities. The ADA’s implementing regulations describe what makes a polling place accessible. Furthermore, the Department of Justice’s ADA Checklist for Polling Places, found at www.ada.gov/votingchecklist.htm, provides guidance to election officials for determining whether a polling place already has the basic accessibility features needed by most voters with disabilities or can be made accessible using temporary solutions.
Assistant United States Attorney Suntrease Williams-Maynard is the assigned attorney on this project, which is part of a nationwide initiative spearheaded by the Department’s Civil Rights Division.
People interested in learning more about the requirements of the ADA may visit the website www.ada.gov or call the toll free ADA Information Line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TTY).
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
