Questions & Answers for Voters with Disabilities
- Do I need to register before voting?
Yes, in order to be able to vote, you must register to vote in the town or city where you live. To register to vote, call your town clerk and ask him or her to mail you the form, fill the form out and send it back. You can also register at town hall, and many other government offices. To find out who your town clerk is you can call your town hall. - Does the building I vote in have to be accessible?
Yes, Massachusetts law requires that all places where people vote (polling places) are accessible. This includes: accessible parking spaces; an accessible path of travel from the parking area to the polling place; an accessible entrance to the building, including ramps if necessary, and which is at least 32” wide. - Absentee Ballot, what is it, what is it for?
If you can’t get to the polls on Election Day because of your disability, you can vote absentee. You or a family member can apply in writing to your city or town hall and include: your name, the address where you are registered to vote, the address where you want the absentee ballot to be sent to, in a primary, the party ballot you want, and your signature. The latest you can apply for an absentee ballot is noon the day before the election but you should ask for an absentee ballot at least a few weeks before an election. - If I’m voting at the polling place, do they need to make the voting booths so I can use them?
The law also requires that the voting booths be accessible. If you use a wheelchair, you should be able to fit your wheelchair underneath the voting table and reach the shelf to make your vote. You have the right to have help voting. Tell the election worker that you have a disability and need help to vote. You may bring in someone that you choose to help you vote. - Do I need Identification?
You may be asked by one of the election workers to show identification. But, if you feel that the person singled you out to show identification because you have a disability, you can make a complaint. Things you may use as identification include: a driver’s license, recent utility bill, rent receipt on a landlord’s printed letterhead, lease, or any other printed id card with your current address. - What if my name is not on the voter’s list?
If your name is not on the voter list, ask the election worker to double-check by calling the city or town hall. If the city or town hall says you are a registered voter, then you can vote. If not, you can still vote, but your vote will not be counted unless the election is close. - Can someone challenge my vote?
Anyone can challenge a voter, but only for a legal cause. This means that the person challenging your vote has to have a good legal reason for why you should not vote such as you are not who you say you are, or you do not live in the town you’re voting in. It is a crime for a person to challenge your vote to harass you or to find out whom you voted for. - If I live in a facility or I am under guardianship, can I still vote?Yes. If you live in a facility or are under guardianship, you still have the right to vote. The only exception is if your guardianship specifically takes away your right to vote.
- How can I vote independently at the polls?
There should be an accessible voting machine at every polling place. The Secretary of State recently certified the AutoMark Voting Machine and it should be in place for all future elections. Ask the poll worker to direct you to the voting machine when you check in on Election Day.
