New Report Highlights Need for Accessibility in Voting

January 2014 — The Presidential Commission on Election Administration released a report providing recommendations to streamline the voting process.  The formation of the Commission follows the 2012 election, where long lines and inaccessibility hindered voters. The Commission’s report highlights that the accommodations made for voters with disabilities or limited English proficiency varies widely with location. Accordingly, the report recommends that all polling places be routinely audited for physical accessibility while poll workers are provided with additional training to ensure they can answer questions concerning accessibility. To ensure the accessibility of voter registration, the report recommends providing in-home registration online.  Also noted was the need for advisory groups to ensure that the needs of 35 million Americans with accessibility needs are met.