The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan today announced that it has reached a resolution under the Americans with Disabilities Act with 11 municipalities in Isabella County, MI to ensure access for individuals with disabilities at polling places. The case was commenced under the U.S. Justice Department’s compliance review authority.
Under the terms of the resolution, 11 cities and townships within Isabella County agreed to make temporary and permanent changes to all of their polling places to make them accessible on Election Day before the next 2018 election. The participating municipalities are:
Broomfield Township,
Chippewa Township,
Coldwater Township,
Deerfield Township,
Gilmore Township,
Isabella Township,
Nottawa Township,
Sherman Township,
Union Township,
City of Clare, and
City of Mt. Pleasant.
“A vibrant democracy requires that all voices are heard. People with disabilities should not be discouraged from voting by physical obstacles at their polling place. We are pleased that so many Townships and Cities in Isabella County are making changes to their polling places to make it easier for people with disabilities to exercise their right to vote," said Daniel L. Lemisch, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan.
Title II of the ADA prohibits public entities, such as cities and townships, 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 resolution and the ADA is available at the Justice Department’s toll-free ADA Information line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383 (TTY), via the ADA website at http://www.ada.gov, or the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s civil rights hotline at (313) 226-9151, or email at usamie.civilrights@usdoj.gov.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
