## What is accessible voting by mail?
Accessible vote by mail – also called remote accessible voting – includes delivering the ballot to a voter by email or a secure portal. Voters mark their ballot with their own computer, using their own assistive technology to do so.Ballots are then returned on the same deadline as other vote-by-mail ballots. 

* In all states with AVBM, ballots can be returned by mail or dropping it off at an official location. 
* In states with electronic ballot return, you can return your ballots by email or fax, or upload the marked ballot to a secure portal, so no paper is required. 

Every voter in the U.S. has the right to vote privately and independently. Just like the accessible voting systems required for in-person voting, new systems and procedures make voting from home accessible for voters with disabilities.   

If you plan to use an AVBM system to vote by mail, check the procedures in your state carefully. You may have to request an accessible ballot from your local election office or through a state-wide form. Make sure to check the rules for how to return your ballot and what forms you need to complete and send back to the elections office with your marked ballot. 

## When did accessible voting by mail start?
Oregon pioneered vote-by-mail ballots as the first state to send them to all voters in 2000. It was also the first state to provide accessible voting by mail in 2008, a local company in Oregon called Five Cedars learned about the challenges of mail voting from a neighbor with a disability and was motivated to find solutions. Five Cedars went on to create Oregon's vote-by-mail system, called the Alternative Ballot. 
Since then, several vendors have followed by supplying systems — and some states have created their own. 

This way of voting is new, so there is a lot of variation in how and where it is offered. Today, 34 states offer some form of accessible voting by mail (AVBM). Ten of them allow some form of electronic ballot return. Advocacy by disability rights organizations continue to support adoption in more states and cities.

You can find details about accessible remote voting on the page for your state.  

## Why accessible vote by mail matters
Accessible vote by mail enables voters with disabilities to vote independently and privately – a right for all voters – often for the first time. For many voters with disabilities, the ability to vote at home with the help of assistive technology and extra time to understand the ballot is the difference between being able to cast a ballot and being prevented from doing so.  

Accessible vote by mail increases voter turnout and helps close the gap between voters with and without disabilities. Since these practices have been implemented, the turnout gap is getting smaller.  
Researchers Lisa Shure and Doug Kruse have tracked voting by people with disabilities for many years. In 2020, they reported the good news that turnout for voters with disabilities increased more than the average for all voters. However,[a stubborn 5.7% gap still remains](https://www.eac.gov/sites/default/files/document_library/files/Fact_sheet_on_disability_and_voter_turnout_in_2020_0.pdf). Accessible vote by mail can help close that gap.

## Challenges for accessible vote by mail, and tips to address them
Despite laws to ensure all voters can cast a ballot independently and privately, the voting process is not perfect. Paper ballots and signature requirements are two recurring barriers that prevent voters with disabilities from being able to vote or from having their vote counted. 

## Paper ballots
People who cannot read or handle paper because of a visual, physical or cognitive learning disability are not able to vote independently. For example, a blind voter cannot check a printed ballot to be sure it is marked the way they intended. Or a voter who cannot handle paper would need assistance to put their ballot and other forms into an envelope to return it.  

Electronic ballot return solves these problems for voters with print disabilities.  

## Signatures 
Signature requirements are another hurdle for voters with disabilities for many reasons. Visual and dexterity disabilities can make signatures inconsistent. Voters who cannot sign their names consistently tend to have their mail ballots rejected at higher rates than other voters. Not knowing where to place a signature on the voter’s statement or envelope can lead to a rejected vote.

Here are some tips to make sure an issue with your signature doesn’t keep your vote from being counted: 

* Be sure you know how to find the location for your signature. 
* Ask if you can use an alternative signature, such as stamps or other marks.
* Ask if you can use a digital signature.
* Ask your local election office about how they validate your signature and if you can correct it.


A brief history of making voting by mail accessible for all&nbsp;&nbsp;

Accessible voting by mail

Thank you for your interest in supporting accessible elections this year. You can be a trusted messenger who can help support election officials this year as voters cast ballots. 

[AccessibleVoting.net](https://accessiblevoting.net) is designed with input from experts to help voters understand their voting options, whether they’re voting early by mail or in person, or casting their ballot on Election Day.

Visit [REV UP the Disability Vote](https://www.aapd.com/rev-up-the-disability-vote/) for more tools and resources.


These are the some ways you can help people with disabilities close the turnout gap.

* **Work with local election officials.** Ask how you can help. Some office offer "ride the the polls" sesrvices that rely on volunteer. You can also serve as a poll worker.
* **Work with local elections advocates.** Look for groups in your area working to get out the vote. Share information about accessible voting with them. 
* **Learn more about the relationship between democracy and health.** The Health & Democracy Index compares 12 public health indicators and voter turnout to the voting policies in each state. 


To find local elections advocates start with this list
* [Local chapters of the League of Women Voters](https://www.lwv.org/local-leagues/), which run voter registration drives, create candidate guides, and run debates. 
* [Vot-ER](https://vot-er.org/), which helps medical and health professionals connect directly with voters.
 

For disability rights advocates

## What are my rights

As a voter with a disability, you have a right to:
* Vote privately and independently
* At an accessible polling place
* Using an accessible voting system

If you need assistance you can:
* Ask an election worker, or
* Bring someone to help you

Your employer, union, or someone working for them, are not allowed to assist you.

You may ask your local election officials to tell you about any voting aids, voting assistance, and absentee ballot procedures that are available.

Election officials must make any reasonable accommodations you need to vote. This might include

* A place to wait in line until it's your turn to vote
* A place to sit if you have trouble standing
* A quiet, private place to vote

You cannot be refused the right to vote because an election worker thinks your disability means you are not qualified to vote.

Voting facilities must be accessible to voters using wheelchairs or other mobility tools. This includes 
* accessible parking
* an elevator, if the voting area is not on the same floor as the entrance
* room to navigate a wheelchair inside the voting area. 

Curbside voting alone does not meet the legal requirements for voting facilities. 

Each facility must have at least one voting system in place for people with disabilities in federal elections. This voting system must accommodate the blind and visually impaired as well as those needing dexterity assistance by providing an audio recording of the ballot and tactile controls while maintaining the same opportunity for privacy and independence as other voters receive.

## What do I do if… 

**If you cannot stand in long lines**, tell a poll worker. They will be able to provide you with a chair.

**If someone will assist you**, let the poll worker know this person is here to help you when you check in. 

**If you are not able vote in person** because of a disability, you can use a mail-in ballot. Check the deadlines to request a mail-in ballot on your state's page.

**If your voting location is not accessible**, you can request curbside voting and report this issue to the Election Protection hotline at 1-866-OUR-VOTE so that other voters will not experience the same accessibilities in the future. 


## Which laws protect me?
There are four federal laws that protect the rights of disabled or elderly voters. These laws not only ensure your ability to cast a vote but also protect your safety and ability to do so independently and with privacy. 


* **[Voting Rights Act of 1965](http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/vot/intro/intro_b.php)**: This law states that any voter requiring assistance may receive it from a person of their choice, with a few exceptions. Those exceptions are that your employer, union, or someone acting for them cannot assist you.
  
* **[Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984](http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/vot/intro/intro_b.php)**: This law requires physical access to polling places used in federal elections. The law also requires states to make registration and voting aids accessible.

 
* **[Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)](https://http://www.justice.gov/crt/about/vot/intro/intro_b.php)**: This major civil rights law prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in the private and government sectors. ADA enacted a comprehensive set of national goals to ensure that individuals with disabilities enjoy equality of opportunity, full community participation, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency. 
  
* **[Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA)](http://www.eac.gov/about_the_eac/help_america_vote_act.aspx)**:  HAVA expanded the objectives of ADA into our nation’s voting rights. This law requires jurisdictions responsible for conducting federal elections to provide at least one accessible voting system for individuals with disabilities at each polling place in federal elections. The voting systems must include nonvisual accessibility for the blind and visually impaired while providing the same opportunity for privacy and independence as other voters.

From the Americans with Disabilities Act to the Help America Vote Act, voters with disabilities have legal rights to an accessible voting experience.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Your accessible voting rights

The Help America Vote Act says that if you are voting for the first time, you have to show identification if:   

* You registered to vote online or by sending in a form by mail, and
* You did not provide identification with your voter registration form

This requirement is in addition to any state voter ID requirements.  

## What kinds of ID can you use?
The law says that you have to show:  
* Current, valid photo identification,  or
* A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or another government document that shows your name and address

The most common form of identification is a government ID with your name, address, and photo, such as:
* State driver’s license or learner’s permit
* State non-driver’s ID
* Other state-issued ID cards
* Tribal ID
* Military ID

Check with your local or state elections office for a complete list of types of identification you can use.  

Vote Riders, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization has [a list of the acceptable photo and nonphoto identification for first-time voters](https://www.voteriders.org/firstvote/).

### What happens if you are voting in person during early voting or on Election Day
If you need to show identification, the poll worker will ask you for it.   

If you do not have ID, you can vote on a provisional ballot. Your ballot will be counted if you provide identification to the local elections office by the deadline - usually 7 days after the election.

### What happens if you are voting by mail?
The rules vary by state, but you must usually provide a copy of your ID when you return your ballot.  

Your absentee or mail ballot package should include instructions and a list of the types of ID your state accepts.  

You can usually enter the number of your state driver’s license or non-drivers ID instead of making a copy because the elections office can look up your record to confirm your identity. 

  
## Not a first-time voter?
You can learn about voter identification requirements and what ID you can use at [Vote Riders](https://www.voteriders.org/). Select your state from the map or drop-down list on their home page.



You may have to show identification the first time you vote in a state.

ID requirements for first time voters

*To fill in your plan, mark the options that apply to you. Then save or print this page so you can use it to follow your plan.*  

## Voter registration
In most states, you must register to vote before Election Day. Some states have same day registration during early voting or on Election Day.  
* I am registered to vote.
* My current name and address are correct on my voter registration
* I am not registered to vote yet, but I know what steps to take to register.
* I am not registered to vote yet, and I need help figuring out how.

* If you are under a conservatorship, has the court made an order that you are not allowed to vote?

## If you need help with any voting-related task
Is there someone who can go with you to the voting location or help you voting by mail? Do you have a backup plan?

The following people will help me:
________________________________________
________________________________________


## If you plan to vote in person
**When and where will you vote?**
* I plan to vote on Election Day, November 8
* I plan to vote during Early Voting (check to be sure it is available in your state)
* The address of the voting location I will use is:  
  _________________________________________________
* The hours for the voting location are: 
* My plan for getting to the voting location is:  

* I have looked into any concerns about the  physical accessibility of the voting location.

**To sign the pollbook, I will need**
* Pen ball grip (to help me grip the pen)
* Signature guide (to help me sign in the right place)

**If you will use curbside voting**
* I have confirmed that it is available at my voting location. 
* I know how to call an election worker to my vehicle when I arrive

**If you are planning to use the accessible voting system or ballot marking device with these features**
* Touchscreen
* Tactile control keypad
* Audio that reads the text on the screen and gives instructions
* Enlarged text on the screen
* Adjusted color contrast on the screen
* Port for attaching a sip-and-puff or paddle switch device
* Magnifying sheet or glass


## If you plan to vote by mail
Check the options for voting by mail options in your state before making your plan.

* I am able to mark the paper ballot that is mailed to me.
* I have requested voting materials in an alternative format:  
  ☐ Large print  	☐ Audio   	☐ Braille  	☐ PDF
* If one is available, I have requested an accessible vote-by-mail ballot 

**How will you sign the form on the ballot return envelope?**  
* I am able to sign my name, and my signature will match what the county elections office has on file for me.
* I cannot sign my name, so I will use a mark, such as an X, instead of my name, and I will have someone sign the envelope as a witness.
* I will use a signature stamp that I have registered in advance.

**If you are using an accessible vote-by-mail option:**  
* I am able to read and handle the paper ballot after I print it.
* I have practiced using using a demonstration website.
* I have a computer or smartphone to mark my ballot.
* I have a printer connected to the computer or smartphone to print my ballot.
* My state allows electronic return, so I don't need a printer.	
	
**Where will you return your ballot?**
Check the options and deadlines in your state to be sure your ballot is returned in time to be counted.  

* I will return my ballot by mail. My ballot must be:  
☐ Postmarked by Election Day  	
☐ Received by Election Day   
☐ Other ______________  
	
* I will drop my ballot off at:  
☐ The elections office  
☐ A drop box or other voting location (If available)  
The address is:  _________________________   
The deadline is: _________________________   




This voting planner is adapted from a checklist created by [Disability Rights California](https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/).  


To learn about your voting options, select your state page on this site. As always, If you have any questions, contact your county elections office, your local disability rights office, or the election protection hotline.





	



Making a plan to vote increases participation. Thinking ahead will help you be ready to vote and address any accessibility requirements before Election Day.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;
If you have any questions about your options, contact your county elections office or your local Disability Rights office, call 1-866-OUR-VOTE, visit <a href="https://866ourvote.org/">866ourvote.org/</a> or ask someone else you trust for help.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Make a plan to vote

Accessible Voting helps you find ways to cast your ballot. Your voting options depend on your state. They include mail voting, early voting, and voting in-person on Election Day.  
 
One of the hardest things about voting with a disability is finding the information about voting options. At both the state and local level, ther are a variety of page titles, making it hard to search. Sometimes details like what accessible voting system is used is hidden in technical sections of the elections website.

We believe the difficulty of learning about accessible voting options contributes to the turnout gap between voters with disabilities and other voters. We aim to help by carefully gathering information and making it available for voters, advocates, and others to share and use. 

If you enjoyed using the Accessible Voting  website, or if you had trouble with any part of it, please get in touch at accessiblevoting@civicdesign.org

## Making the site accessible

To help us make this website a positive place for everyone, we have designed it so it will reformat to fit onto different size screens on laptops and mobile devices. 

We also used the  Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 as guidance. These guidelines explain how to make web content more accessible for people with disabilities, and user friendly for everyone, as well as identifying requirements for good practice in coding a site. 

We’ve worked hard on the site and believe we’ve achieved our goal of Level AA accessibility. We monitor the website regularly to maintain this, but if you do find any problems, please get in touch at accessiblevoting@civicdesign.org

If you are reporting a problem, it would help us if you provide the information advised in the Web Accessibility Initiative’s page [Contacting Organizations about Inaccessible Websites](http://www.w3.org/WAI/users/inaccessible) in your request.

## Credits

Accessible Voting is a collaboration of [REV UP](https://www.aapd.com/about-rev-up/), [Center for Civic Design](https://civicdesign.org/), and [Microsoft Democracy Forward](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/corporate-responsibility/democracy-forward?activetab=pivot1%3aprimaryr6). 

The Voter Access Guide for Election Officials is a project of NCAV, the National Coalition for Accessible Voting. 

The site was developed by [Coforma](https://coforma.io/) based on theme for HealthyVoting.



Providing information about accessible voting options to help people with disabilities vote independently and privately.&nbsp;

About this site

This privacy notice explains how we use information that you may provide while visiting our website and to demonstrate our firm commitment to Internet privacy.

We may modify this policy from time to time so we encourage you to check this page when revisiting this website. 

## How We Use Your Information
Accessible Voting does not collect any information from people who visit this site. 

## Links to Other Websites
Accessible Voting may link to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the content or privacy policies of these third-party sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies and review the practices of all websites you visit

## Other Disclosure of Your Information
Though we make every effort to preserve user privacy, we may need to disclose personal information when we have a good-faith belief release is appropriate to comply with the law (for example, a lawful subpoena), to protect our rights or property, or to protect our donors, artists and supporters from fraudulent, abusive, or unlawful conduct, or if we reasonably believe that an emergency involving immediate danger of death or serious physical injury to any person requires disclosure of communications or justifies disclosure of records without delay

## About Cookies, IP Addresses and Log File Data Cookies
A cookie is a piece of data stored on the user’s hard drive containing information about the user. The website uses a cookie for measuring aggregate web statistics, including number of monthly visitors, number of repeat visitors, most popular webpages and other information. 

Accessible Voting may use third-party services such as Google Analytics. This helps us understand traffic patterns and know if there are problems with our Site. 

## Advertising
We may place online advertising with third-party vendors, including Google, which will be shown on other Sites on the Internet. In some cases, those third-party vendors may decide which ads to show you based on your prior visits to the Site. At no time will you be personally identified to those third-party vendors, nor will any of the information you share with us be shared with those third-party vendors. If you prefer to opt out of the use of these third-party cookies on the Site, you can do so by visiting the Network Advertising Initiative opt out page.

## Server Log Files
We log standard technical information, such as your IP address and the kind of browser you use. We log this information for troubleshooting purposes and to track which pages people visit in order to improve the site. We do not use log files to track a particular individual’s use of the website.

## How We Notify You About Privacy Policy Changes
We may revise and update this privacy policy if we change our practices, add new site features, or change existing site features. Your use of this site following such changes constitutes your agreement with regard to information collected from you in the past and in the future

## How To Contact Us
Questions regarding this Privacy Policy should be emailed to accessiblevoting@civicdesign.org

Privacy policy and terms of service

**Welcome to the National Coalition on Accessible Voting (NCAV)’s Voter Access Guide!**

We wrote the Guide to help election administrators make voting accessible. The Guide provides information, recommendations, and checklists on accessibility for every stage of the voting process, from registering and gathering information on voting to casting a ballot. The Guide identifies barriers to accessibility in advance, allowing you to address them early in your planning process.

We provide links to the best free resources available for each topic. Use the resources provided in the Guide as starting points for further research. 

We hope that the Guide helps you develop fair, accessible elections with improved turnout from voters with disabilities.

  

**[Download the entire Voter Access Guide](https://www.datocms-assets.com/67132/1723465620-ncav-voter-access-guide-all.pdf)**

  
**[Chapter 1 - Introduction](https://www.datocms-assets.com/67132/1723465627-ncav-voter-access-guide-chapter-1.pdf)**
* Federal regulations and guidance on voting and accessibility
* Terminology
* List of NCAV member disability rights advocacy organziations
  

**[Chapter 2 - Gathering information on voting](https://www.datocms-assets.com/67132/1723485467-ncav-voter-access-guide-chapter-2.pdf)**
* Resources and tools for providing information about voting
* Providing information online
	* Creating accessible election websites
	* Creating accessible online documents
	* Creating accessible online videos and presentations
	* Creating accessible social media posts
	* Creating accessible emails
* Using accessibility checkers and accessibility tools for online content
* Providing information at the office
* Providing information over the phone 

  
**[Chapter 3 - Accessible voting in person](https://www.datocms-assets.com/67132/1723465631-ncav-voter-access-guide-chapter-3.pdf)**
* Early voting
* Curbside voting
* Accessibility at the polling place
* Accessibility of voting machines
* Poll worker training and safety
  

**[Chapter 4 - Registering to vote](https://www.datocms-assets.com/67132/1723465633-ncav-voter-access-guide-chapter-4.pdf)**
* Registering to vote online
* Registering to vote in person
* Same-day voter registration
* Automatic voter registration
* Voter registration drives
* E-pollbooks
  

**[Chapter 5 - Voting by mail and absentee](https://www.datocms-assets.com/67132/1723465635-ncav-voter-access-guide-chapter-5.pdf)**
* Requesting a mail ballot
* Making the ballot accessible
	* Ballots sent electronically
	* Ballots sent by mail
* Casting the ballot
* All-mail elections
* Ballot curing
* Ballot tracking

  
## Credits

The National Coalition on Accessible Voting is a coalition that maintains and expands voting access for people with disabilities.

The Guide was written by Kelly Israel, coordinator of the National Coalition on Accessible Voting (NCAV). Edits were made by members of the NCAV and election administrators. 

## Disclaimers

The Guide does not cover every issue. It is a general overview of expanding voting accessibility. We encourage election administrators to do more research on all topics. 
This Guide brings voting accessibility resources together in one place for easy access. 

We link to or cite resources we used to develop the Guide.Conformance to any recommendations or use of any resources contained within or suggested by this Guide is not intended to act as a standard for compliance with federal or state law. 

The recommendations in this Guide do not constitute legal advice or advice on how to comply with any federal or state law or policy, including the Help America Vote Act (HAVA),the Voting Rights Act (VRA),the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA),  Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,  the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA),and the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 (VAEHA).  

The Guide does not constitute advice on how to implement the President’s Executive Order on Promoting Access to Voting (March 7, 2021)  or any other Executive Order or policy of any federal agency. Each department, office, agency, organization, entity, or individual must make their own independent determination on compliance with any and all applicable laws, including those discussed in this Guide.  




A guide for election administrators to making voting accessible for people with disabilities
<img alt="NCAV - National Coalition on Accessible Voting (logo with letters. The V is a checkmark in red)" title="NCAV - National Coalition on Accessible Voting" src="https://www.datocms-assets.com/67132/1723465510-ncav-logo.jpg" />

Voter Access Guide for Election Officials

AccessibleVoting &nbsp;is a project of&nbsp; <a href="https://www.aapd.com/about-rev-up/">REV UP</a>, &nbsp;<a href="https://civicdesign.org/">Center for Civic Design</a>,&nbsp; and Microsoft <a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/corporate-responsibility/democracy-forward?activetab=pivot1%3aprimaryr6">Democracy Forward</a> &amp;&nbsp;<a href="https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/accessibility/approach">Accessibility.</a>&nbsp;The <a href="https://accessiblevoting.net/voter-access-guide-for-election-officials">Voter Access Guide for Election Officials</a> is from the National Coalition for Accessible Voting (NCAV).&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="https://coforma.io/">Coforma </a>&nbsp;built the site based on the design for HealthyVoting.