The right to vote privately and independently is in both federal and Wisconsin law. This includes access to voting equipment that allows an eligible voter to mark their ballot independently. This is especially important for voters with print disabilities such as blindness, low vision, or difficulty with fine motor skills.
Earlier this month, the town of Thornapple, Wisconsin, agreed to use an accessible voting system moving forward after having been sued by the United States Department of Justice in 2024 because Thornapple did not have an accessible voting system available in two elections that year. Disability Rights Wisconsin also filed a complaint with the Wisconsin Elections Commission in September 2024 about these violations, which resulted in a November 2024 decision by the Commission to direct Thornapple to follow to the law by providing an accessible voting system in every election.
Providing accessible voting systems is not an option — it is the law. Disability Rights Wisconsin applauds the Wisconsin Elections Commission and the U.S. Department of Justice for standing up for the rights of voters with disabilities and making sure state and federal laws are applied in all polling places.
If you have questions about or want to report an issue with accessibility during any part of the voting process, please reach out to our DRW Voter Hotline at 844-DIS-VOTE (844-347-8683).