In 2020, voters with disabilities were twice as likely to report difficulties voting. Only 17% of polling places were fully accessible in 2016. And more than 38 million eligible voters with disabilities could benefit from improved access. Passing the Accessible Voting Act (AVA) would be a major step towards addressing these issues.
Disability Belongs™ works to advocate for accessible voting for all Americans. At the federal level, we vigorously supported the Accessible Voting Act in the last Congress (118th) and are hoping for its reintroduction in the current Congressional session (119th).
What Does the AVA Do?
The Accessible Voting Act is federal legislation that would improve voting access for individuals with disabilities and older adults. It builds upon the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Help America Vote Act (HAVA) by expanding enforcement of existing laws, setting national standards, and funding upgrades to voting systems.
The AVA would create an Office of Accessibility within the Election Assistance Commission. This office would support state and local governments, monitor compliance, and distribute federal funding. It would also create a National Resource Center on Accessible Voting to provide training and share best practices with election officials and the general public. Additionally, it would prohibit disqualification of voters solely due to guardianship unless a court finds the individual cannot express a desire to vote.
Elections are administered at the state level, which is why the AVA would also require states to:
- Create a single office to support voters with disabilities.
- Ensure election websites meet accessibility standards.
- Guarantee no-excuse absentee voting for federal elections.
- Ensure all polling places and ballot drop boxes are accessible.
- Provide accessible voter registration and ballot request tools.
- Notify voters about changes in accessible formats.
The Accessible Voting Act offers a national strategy to ensure voters with disabilities and older adults can vote privately, securely, and independently. While state efforts to improve access exist, the AVA would ensure consistency, enforcement, and funding across the country. Learn more about how you can help us get the AVA passed into law in our Action Center.
