While most Michigan voters plan a straightforward trip to their polling place, voters with disabilities face an array of challenges that can make voting a daunting task. Accessibility issues, from unclear paths to polling stations to malfunctioning assistive technology, have long hindered the voting process for many. Recent findings reveal that despite legal requirements, many polling locations in Michigan still lack essential accommodations, leaving voters with disabilities feeling underserved and overlooked.
Persistent Barriers at Polling Locations
A recent study by Detroit Disability Power (DDP) found that over 80% of polling places across metro Detroit were not fully accessible in the 2022 election. The survey looked at accessible parking, ramps, entrance availability, and the setup of voting machines for people with mobility aids or other disabilities. According to the CDC, about 25% of American adults live with some form of disability, and when accommodations are missing, these voters face substantial obstacles to exercising their rights.
Dessa Cosma, founder and executive director of DDP, highlights the gap in experience between non-disabled and disabled voters. “The majority of non-disabled voters, you go, you vote, and think nothing of it,” she says. But for disabled voters, who often encounter spaces not designed for their needs, voting can be an exhausting, uphill battle.
Challenges with Voting Technology for Disabled Voters
One of the most significant obstacles involves the technology designed to assist voters with disabilities. In Michigan, the Department of State acknowledged that Dominion Voting Systems’ Voter Assist Terminals (VATs), used in 65 of Michigan’s 83 counties, have a programming issue affecting the straight-party voting option. This problem forces voters using VATs to vote individually in each race, a requirement not placed on those using paper ballots.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson expressed disappointment about the issue during a news conference, noting, “We’re working with Dominion to seek accountability and make sure voters are aware of this programming issue.” Efforts are underway to guide voters through the VAT issue, but some voters feel left behind in a system they hoped would level the playing field.
Accessibility Gaps in Metro Detroit Polling Places
The findings from Detroit Disability Power’s survey of over 260 polling places in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties revealed that only 16% of the surveyed locations were fully accessible. Many sites that fell short did so on a single measure, suggesting small changes could improve accessibility. In fact, the number of fully accessible polling places could jump to 42% if minor adjustments were made.
Some common issues identified in the study included:
- Lack of accessible entrances: Some locations had accessible entrances separate from the main ones, often poorly marked or obstructed.
- Voting booths and assistive technology: 40% of polling places lacked a fully accessible voting booth, while 44% were missing a working VAT. Errors included unplugged machines, missing headphones, and in one case, no printing paper for ballots.
In many cases, the lack of properly functioning equipment was quickly addressed once pointed out by observers, but Cosma argues that such oversights shouldn’t happen in the first place. “It’s totally unacceptable… things fall through the cracks because they’re not prioritized in training,” she explains.
Steps Toward Improving Accessibility
The Detroit Disability Power report also presented recommendations to local election officials, including appointing an accessibility coordinator at each polling location, improving training for poll workers, and establishing a statewide reporting system for accessibility. Cosma’s group met with local governments to discuss the findings, with mixed responses; some officials were open to making changes, while others disputed the results.
Michael Siegrist, the clerk for Canton Township, highlighted the difficulties many local governments face in achieving full accessibility, especially when using non-public buildings like churches as polling places. However, he noted the study provided a valuable opportunity for improvement. “We hadn’t consulted with voters with disabilities before, so we’ve taken steps to improve signage and communication,” Siegrist said, reflecting on the importance of inclusive voting practices.
A Call for Equal Voting Rights and a More Inclusive Process
For voters with disabilities, these issues are more than just inconveniences—they’re barriers to their fundamental right to vote. The unequal access these voters face not only affects their participation in elections but also contributes to a sense of exclusion from the democratic process. As Cosma emphasized, prioritizing accessibility isn’t just an act of compliance; it’s a commitment to equity.
Despite recent improvements, advocates argue that Michigan and other states still have a long way to go in ensuring equal voting access. Ensuring that all citizens, regardless of ability, can vote comfortably and confidently is essential to a truly inclusive democracy.
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