Summary
Disability Rights Wisconsin and Law Forward made a complaint with the Wisconsin Elections Commission against the Town of Thornapple. The complaint is about their decision to remove electronic voting equipment from their polling place. They did not offer a different accessible voting system so people with disabilities can vote.
Last week, in partnership with Law Forward, Disability Rights Wisconsin filed a complaint against the Town of Thornapple’s decision with the Wisconsin Elections Commission. The complaint is about their decision to remove electronic voting equipment from their polling place without making sure that an alternate accessible voting system was available for voters with disabilities. Disability Rights Wisconsin has requested expedited consideration of the complaint due to the upcoming November 5 general election.
The Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) requires all polling places to “be accessible for individuals with disabilities… in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation (including privacy and independence) as for other voters”. Disability Rights Wisconsin continues to work to make sure that all Wisconsin voters with disabilities have access to the ballot and their polling place as well as all other parts of the electoral process.
Read about the Town of Thornapple’s removal of voting machines and Disability Rights Wisconsin’s complaint on Wisconsin Public Radio: Northern Wisconsin town accused of breaking the law by pulling voting machines, by Rich Kremer