Can I Vote with a Secret Ballot if I Need Assistance?

Would you like to start by telling us a little bit about your background and how you came to be someone who had a concern about voting to an actual US Vote Voting Champion?

Yes, and I think Steven, you can really relate to people with disabilities who aren’t voting. Six percent is the gap between people with disabilities and people without in terms of their turnout to vote. We want to close that gap at US Vote working with you. I know you never want to be in that situation again. You can relate to that six percent gap of people who aren’t voting because you just weren’t sure.

One of things that I really love that you brought out just now is, first of all, that every person should know that they have the right to private and independent vote. No one is supposed to know who you voted for. US Vote can help you connect with resources to make sure you can exercise that right.

I think also one of the things that I really connected to that you said is that you might want assistance when you get to the polls - but even more likely you may not want assistance - knowing that you have the right to refuse assistance from somebody else. And sometimes the assistance that a person might need is just access to information that you can get through US Vote.

If you were to go on our US Vote Foundation website, we have a resource guide for voters with disabilities. It’s state by state. Every single state is covered. It addresses a lot of questions that people might have about the polls. 

For example, if you were going to vote in New Jersey where you’re from, what would be your likely method? Would you want to vote in person or by absentee ballot?

Right.

All the poll workers are trained on the equipment, which is great to know. I think that a lot of people don’t know that. But, you know, sometimes a person might forget their training. 

Or you get there and - first of all - if you’re mobility challenged, just navigating getting into the building. Right? Or if you’re visually impaired, also navigating through the maze to the vote. And let’s say you get there and that machine is still in the box. And you’re like ugh! 

That's really frustrating.

One of things we can show you through the US Vote Resource for Voters with Disabilities is how to practice using the machine before you go. So for instance, in New Jersey, there are two different companies they use that make these touch screens. You can change the font. 

Yeah, you can change the contrast. There are even keys that have Braille on them. And you can plug in and have a screen reader with headphones which I think is critically important.

So it’s not reading out: “You just selected…”

[laughter] 

Yeah, really important. Also knowing it’s your right. 

When you get there, you know, the poll workers are our heroes -  they’ve gotten so much push back recently - they have good intentions. Sometimes they maybe don’t have the know-how, or they can’t relate, or they’re a little rusty. But you going there knowing what your rights are as a voter, to be able to say: No thanks, I actually don’t want to have a seat. Or yes, I would like an assistant. If you want an assistant, you also have the right to pick the assistant of your choice.

As long as it’s not a candidate or there’s a couple different laws for each state. So even that’s in the US Vote Guide to show you who you can use as a personal assistant. 

Knowing that, let’s say you were standing there and you felt that someone was a little too close by or you were concerned that they could hear for some reason, you can confidently let them know that you’re aware of what your rights are. Maybe they need that refresher. 
 

How would you know, right?

That’s the reason - that’s what we want to combat to make sure your voice is heard. If you know what your rights are and you’re familiar with the process before you get there, that’s huge. 

That's what you're here for!

[laughter]

How great!

Let’s say also, instead of voting in person, you might have some people who would prefer to vote with an absentee ballot. You can actually use US Vote to request an accessible ballot. We have links at US Vote Foundation. 

In New Jersey, you can request an accessible ballot to vote from. That will help you be able to vote from the comfort of your own home, on your own time, not dealing with other people around. You can do that. 

One catch with that is in New Jersey you still need to print that ballot. And sign it. You might need help returning it. That’s three more barriers that people with disabilities can face. That’s the case in your state. 

But there are some states that have electronic ballot return. If you go onto US Vote Foundation’s website, people can see, based on their state, what their options are for ballot return. That’s another thing to consider. 

I would love to show you what these resources are. We can show our listeners and viewers what these resources are. What do you think?
 

[New setting in front of computer after re-introductions - speaking to viewers/listeners] The first thing Steven is going to notice is going to be down in the right hand corner, there’s a blue circle with a person in it, the accessibility tool.

You’re going to be able to access things like a screen reader. You can control the contrast. You can make bigger text or change the spacing, hide images even. There are lots of different things you can use on there. What are you most likely to use when you come on this kind of website?

Yes, I think that can be helpful to get in in the first place.

Not all websites have them. You have to look and see if it’s on there. And sometimes people are going to have their own screen reading technology on their computer, but it’s super helpful when it’s on the website.

When you go on the website…you can click on any state at all. We’re going to go over to New Jersey and we’re just going to identify what the main topics are that you would find for any state in this guide.

I’ll just let you know there are seven of them on here. We’ve got your rights as one of them, what the rules of assistance are, how absentee ballots can be made accessible if you have a print disability, what kind of accommodations you can expect if you vote in person, how to prepare to use the equipment ahead of time. And also, really importantly, if you have a problem related to your disability while voting, who is your go-to person. And finally just some more resources that can help you if there are problems.

What I wanted to ask you, Steven, is if you were a first time voter, someone who had the same experience you had last time. You really cherish your right to vote, you were reluctant to vote, and this time you were like I’m not missing out on 2024. So you want to get out there armed with information ahead of time…Where would you start on this? What would be most useful for our listeners and viewers to go onto on this website?

So you find out, specifically, what kind of equipment do they have. And also do they have curbside voting? Some states had it in 2020 and then they took it away.

So let’s click on that one. We won’t go through all of these. We’ll look at that then have you go through these off screen.

Accommodations…New Jersey…It goes into the minimum compliance standards that you have by federal law.

It gets into if you have an issue standing in line if you have a mobility issue. You can ask to be moved to the front of the line. You can have your place held. You can get a chair. That type of thing.

And notice also, I think this is most important in your situation - you do get to have the accessible ballot marking device at all polling places so that you can exercise your guaranteed right to vote privately and independently.

[Speaking to viewers/listeners] Steven and I are going to walk through this resource together…and when we get back, Steven is going to let you know his top three takeaways from the US Vote Foundation website. Whether it’s the Resource for Voters with Disabilities or some of our other voting tools so that you make sure you do not miss out on voting in 2024.