1 Voting Access: Ensuring the Rights of People with Disabilities at the Polls - PowerPoint Presentation

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Voting Access: Ensuring the Rights of People with Disabilities at the Polls

Equip for EqualityOctober 2016

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Today’s Agenda

Introduction to Voting Access Chicago Project

Overview of Federal Voting Rights of People with DisabilitiesAmericans with Disabilities Act of 1990National Voting Rights Act of 1993

Help America Vote Act

Review of Recent Illinois Election Law Changes

Review of Polling Place Accessibility Survey

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What is Voting Access Chicago?

Partnership with Chicago Board of Election Commissioners (CBOE) to identify and remedy barriers to polling place accessibility

Temporary and permanentComprehensive survey of approximately 1,700 polling places in the City of Chicago on Election Day, November 8, 2016Goal is to ensure all Chicago polling places are fully accessible by March, 2018

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Background

People with disabilities historically underrepresented at the pollsEstimated 46 million people with disabilities of voting age in U.S.

Only15.6 million people with disabilities reported voting in 2012 General ElectionVoter turnout rate of people with disabilities 5.7% points lower than people without disabilities in 20123 million more voters with disabilities if they voted at the same rate as people without disabilities

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Barriers to Voting

Inaccessible polling places and equipmentDiscriminatory practices and attitudes of election officials, poll workers, guardians, caretakers

TransportationLack of knowledge about voting rightsIndividuals with disabilitiesFamily members/guardiansElection officials/poll workersService providers

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Federal Laws Governing Voting Rights of People with Disabilities

Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA)Title II requires that people with disabilities have equal access and opportunity to vote

Polling places must comply with ADA requirements that determine the space in which people vote. Includes guidelines regarding:Width of hallways and doorways and ensuring adequate turning space at the voting machine.Space for walkways and parking spaces outside polling place also defined.Part of overall ADA checklist to ensure space in/ around voting station complies with federal law

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Federal Laws Governing Voting Rights of People with Disabilities

National Voting Rights Act of 1993Includes a provision to allow voter registration opportunities at state agencies, some of which serve people with disabilities

Some research indicates state agencies fail to routinely offer voter registration to the people they serveThe federal government rarely enforces these provisions 7

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Federal Laws Governing Voting Rights of People with Disabilities

Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA)Passed to address problems with voting systems and voter access encountered in 2000 electionIntended to improve access to electoral process for all U.S. citizens

Specific provisions for voters with disabilitiesRequires that each polling place have at least one accessible voting machinePeople with disabilities must be able to vote privately and independently

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Recent Illinois Election Law Changes that Expand Voting Opportunities

17-year-olds otherwise qualified to register to vote may register and vote in Primary Election if they will be 18 years old by date of General ElectionOnline Voter Registration at https://ovr.elections.il.gov

Grace period registration and votingAllows you to register to vote/update your address through Election Day. Grace period registration is offered at the local election authority’s office, early voting sites and some polling placesMust register and vote at the same time

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Recent Illinois Election Law Changes that Expand Voting Opportunities

Expanded early voting hoursEarly voting sites must be open during the 15 days before Election Day from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays.

During the 8 days before Election Day, early voting sites must be open from: 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. or 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays; 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays/ holidays, and 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sundays. Vote by Mail (formerly known as absentee voting)Available to anyoneNo reason or excuse required

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Recent Illinois Election Law Changes that Expand Voting Opportunities

Campus VotingIn addition to other early voting sites, each appropriate election authority must conduct early voting in a high traffic area on the campus of a public university in the authority’s jurisdiction.

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Determining Polling Place Accessibility: The Survey

The survey tool (checklist) is designed to evaluate the accessibility of the polling place as a whole, i.e., from point of arrival to point of returnIt is a step-by-step checklist that examines:

Parking AreaPassenger Drop Off AreaExterior Route to Accessible EntrancePolling Place EntranceRoute from Entrance into Voting AreaVoting AreaRampsLifts and Elevators

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Determining Polling Place Accessibility: The Survey

To use the tool effectively, consider how/where a person with a disability would:Arrive at the polling place Approach the polling place

Enter the polling place Navigate through the polling place, including the voting areaExit the polling place.13

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Determining Polling Place Accessibility: The Survey

For each of these areas, the survey contains a list of questions that may be answered by checking: Yes, No, or N/A. It also provides a space to write comments after each question.More information is better

At the end of each section, the survey asks whether there is a remedy for removing any barriers: 1) permanently; or 2) temporarily. Provide comments/explanation as needed14

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Determining Polling Place Accessibility: The Survey

Some of the questions in the survey will require you to take measurements. For this purpose, you will be provided with the following tools:24” digital level (to measure the slope of surfaces and ramps)

Door pressure gauge (to measure the weight/force of doors)25 ft. tape measure (to measure width/height of spaces)Be sure to record the actual measurement taken for each question15

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Explanation of Survey Terms

Van accessible parking spaceIt is the same as a regular parking space, except for 3 features needed by vans:

It has a wider access aisle (96”) to accommodate a wheelchair liftVertical clearance for the height of the van, adjacent access aisle and the van route to and from the accessible parking spaceAn additional sign that indicates it is a van accessible parking space

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Explanation of Survey Terms

Access aisleAn accessible space adjacent to an accessible parking space or between two parking spaces that provides clearance for a person using a wheelchair or other mobility device to maneuver. It is clearly delineated and marked with diagonal stripes.

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Explanation of Survey Terms

Designated accessible parking spaceA parking space that is marked with a sign displaying the international symbol of accessibilityAccessible route

A route of travel that is free of barriers/conditions that would impede a person with a disability from safely navigating the route18

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Explanation of Survey Terms

Curb rampA transition area between the street and the curb that allows persons with disabilities to access the sidewalk or path of travel without any abrupt changes in level

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Explanation of Survey Terms

SlopeRepresents the proportion of vertical rise to horizontal length. It is expressed in the ADA standards as a ratio, i.e., 1:12. It may also be expressed by a percentage or in degrees.“Running slope” of a route or ramp refers to the vertical slope that corresponds with the direction of the path of travel

“Cross slope” of a route or ramp refers to the horizontal slope and is measured across the width of the slope20

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Explanation of Survey Terms

Alternative accessible entranceRefers to the entrance to the polling place to be used by voters with disabilities when the main entrance to the polling place is not accessible

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Instructions for Use of Tools

Digital level

Slope measurement functions shown by percentage, degrees, and inch : foot ratioUse the percentage setting for the surveys

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Instructions for Use of Tools

Door pressure gauge

Adjust measurement ring to 0 (zero) pounds forceFind spot approximately handle high and 30” away from door hinge

Slowly press instrument against the door

To be ADA compliant, end measurement of doors must not exceed 5 pounds force

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey - Parking Area

NOTE: You will only need to complete this section if parking is provided to voters with disabilities. If not, proceed to Section B (passenger drop off area)

Is there at least one designated van accessible space with signage with the international symbol of accessibility and designated “van accessible”? Are the designated van accessible spaces at least 96” wide with a 96” wide access aisle, or 132” wide with a 60” wide access aisle?

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey – Parking Area

For van accessible spaces (particularly in a garage or parking structure), is there vertical clearance of at least 98 inches for the vehicle route to the parking space, in the parking space and access aisle, and along the vehicle route to the exit?

Are designated accessible parking spaces and the access aisles serving them on a level surface, not exceeding 2.1 percent in all directions? Note: curb ramps may not be part of an access aisle.

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey – Parking Area

Are the surfaces of the designated accessible parking spaces and access aisles stable, firm, and slip resistant? Are the designated accessible parking spaces located on the shortest accessible route to the accessible entrance?

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey – Passenger Drop Off Area

Is the vehicle pull-up space on a level surface, with a slope not exceeding 2.1 percent in all directions? Is the access aisle next to the vehicle pull-up space on a level surface, with a slope not exceeding 2.1 percent in all directions?

Is there vertical clearance of at least 114 inches (9 feet 6 inches) from the site entrance to the vehicle pull-up area, in the access aisle, and along the vehicle route to the exit? 27

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey – Passenger Drop Off Area

Is a curb ramp provided if a curb separates the access aisle from the accessible route to the accessible entrance? Is the width of the curb ramp surface at least 36 inches (not counting the side flares)?

Does an accessible route connect the access aisle and curb ramp to the accessible entrance of the polling place? 28

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey– Exterior Route to the Accessible Entrance

Is the route at least 36” wide? Is the route free of abrupt changes in level greater than ½”, including stairs?

Is the route free of openings greater than ½”, such as in a grate or holes in the pavement? Are walking surfaces stable, firm, and slip resistant?

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey – Exterior Route to the Accessible Entrance

Is the route free of wall mounted objects that protrude 4” or more into the path of travel, between 27” and 80” high? Persons who are blind or have low vision that use a cane to navigate cannot detect barriers/obstructions that are more than 27” above the ground

Is the route free of post mounted objects that protrude more than 12” into the path of travel between 27” and 80” high? Are objects that hang over the pedestrian route 80” or higher, including the underside of exterior stairs?

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey - Exterior Route to the Accessible Entrance

If the route crosses a curb, is there a curb ramp that is 36” wide with a slope no more than 8.3 percent? If the slope of part of the route is greater than 5 percent, or there are steps, is there a ramp? If yes, go to Section G (ramps).

Is the cross slope of the accessible route no greater than 2.1 percent? 31

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey – Polling Place Entrances

Is the width of the clear door opening (one door or one side of a double leaf door) at least 32”? Is the door hardware useable with one hand and without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist?

Can it be opened using a closed fist? Can the door be opened with less than 5 pounds of force?If door has automatic door opener marked with International Symbol of Accessibility, check to make sure it works. If yes, not necessary to measure force of door

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey - Polling Place Entrances

On the pull side of the door, is there 18” of clearance provided to the side of the latch? Is the area in front of the door level, not exceeding a slope greater than 2.1 percent in all directions?

If there are doors in a series, is the distance between the two hinged doors at least 48 inches plus the width of the doors swinging into the space? Can the second door (interior door) in the series be opened with less than 5 pounds of force? If door has automatic door opener marked with International Symbol of Accessibility, check to make sure it works. If yes, not necessary to measure force of door

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey - Polling Place Entrances

Are thresholds at the door no higher than ½”? (Note: If the threshold is between ¼” and ½” it must be beveled.)Do inaccessible entrances have signage directing voters to the accessible entrance?

If voters are directed to an alternative accessible entrance, is this entrance kept unlocked during all voting hours? 34

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey – Route from Entrance into Voting Area

Is the route at least 36” wide? Is the route free of wall mounted objects that protrude 4” or more into the path of travel and are between 27” and 80” high?

Is the route free of post mounted objects that protrude more than 12” into the path of travel and are between 27” and 80” high? Are objects that hang over the pedestrian route 80” or higher, including the underside of stairs?

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey – Route from Entrance into Voting Area

Is the route free of abrupt changes in level greater than ½”, including stairs? If the slope of part of the route is greater than 5 percent, or there are steps, is there a ramp? If yes, go to Section G (ramps).

If the route to the voting area has stairs, is a lift or elevator provided? If yes, go to Section H (lifts) or Section I (elevators). 36

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey – Route from Entrance into Voting Area

If doors are provided along the route to the voting area, is the clear width of at least one door no less than 32”? Is the door hardware operable with one hand and operable without tight grasping, pinching, or twisting of the wrist?

Can the door be opened with 5 pounds of force or less? If door has automatic door opener marked with International Symbol of Accessibility, does it work? If yes, not necessary to measure force of door37

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey – Route from Entrance into Voting Area

Is the threshold at the door no higher than ½”? (Note: If the threshold is between ¼” and ½” it must be beveled. On the pull side of the door, is there 18” of clearance provided beyond the latch?

Is the area in front of the door level, not exceeding a slope greater than 2.1 percent in all directions? 38

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey – Within the Voting Area

NOTE: If there is more than one precinct in the same polling place location you must complete the questions in Section F for each one.

Are walking surfaces stable, firm, and slip resistant? If not, please describe (i.e., cracks, etc.) Is the circulation path (route) free of wall mounted objects that protrude 4” or more into the path of travel and are between 27” and 80” high? Is the circulation path (route) free of post mounted objects that protrude more than 12” into the path of travel and are between 27” and 80” high?

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey – Within the Voting Area

Are objects that hang over the circulation path (route) 80” or higher, including the underside of stairs? Is there enough room to provide a route at least 36” wide to the registration table and voting booths?

Is there enough room to provide a turning space in front of at least one voting machine or voting booth, such as a circle that is 60” in diameter? 40

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey – Within the Voting Area

Are the accessible voting machines and stations positioned in such a way as to afford voters with disabilities the same amount of privacy afforded to other voters?  Is there at least one accessible writing surface/voting station provided where the surface is 28-34” high, knee space is 27” high minimum and 30” wide minimum?

Is there at least one accessible electronic voting machine provided where the surface is 28-34” high, knee space is 27” high minimum and 30” wide minimum? If the answer to any of the above questions is no, indicate why from your observation this did not happen: _____incorrect set up; _____not enough room

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey – Ramps

Is the running slope of the ramp no greater than 8.3 percent? Is the cross slope of the ramp

2.1 percent or less? Is the rise for any ramp run 30” or less? Is the ramp width, measured between handrails, at least 36” wide? Does the ramp have a level landing at the top and bottom of each ramp section that is at least 60” long?To allow space to maneuver/turn if using a mobility device

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey – Ramps

For every 30” of rise, is a level landing at least 60” long provided? Is a level landing, at least 60” by 60” provided where a ramp changes direction?

Are handrails provided that are between 34” and 38” above the ramp surface? If the ramp or landing has a vertical drop-off on either side of the ramp, is edge protection provided? Note: You must complete a ramp form for each ramp

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey – Lifts

Is the lift operational at the time of the survey? Is the lift independently operable, or can it be made so during election day?

Is there 30” by 48” of clear floor space within the lift? Are the controls for the lift no higher than 48”? 44

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey – Lifts

Are the controls operable without tight grasping, pinching or twisting?Can they be operated using a closed fist?

Is clear opening width of the door/ gate at the end of the lift at least 32” wide? If a side door/ gate is provided, is the clear opening width at least 42” wide? 45

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey – Elevators

Is the elevator car door opening at least 36” wide? Is there space to maneuver within the elevator

carMeasure the width and depth of the elevator carAre hallway elevator call buttons 48” high or lower? Are elevator car controls 48” high or lower? 46

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Polling Place Accessibility Survey – Elevators

Does the elevator have visible and audible signals

in the hallway to indicate the arrival and direction of elevator cars? Visible signals are needed for persons who are deaf or hard of hearingAudible signals are needed for people who are blind or have low visionDoes the elevator have visible and audible signals within elevator cars to indicate position of the car?

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Preparation for Election Day

Prior to Election Day, you will receive the following:All necessary tools/supplies (digital level, door pressure gauge, tape measure, clipboard, tote bag, etc.)Polling place assignments and survey forms

Parking permits from CBOE (to allow you to park in areas/spaces not otherwise allowed without penalty) Poll watcher credentials from CBOEYou must fill out a poll watcher credential form and present it to an election judge at each polling place and precinct that you enterIf you are going with a partner, you will both need to submit credentials

Phone numbers to call for assistance on Election Day

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Post-Election Day

You must return all survey tools and completed survey forms to Equip for Equality by November 15, 2016You will receive notice of optional briefing sessions about the survey results and remedies planned to address any barriers

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Questions?

Voting Access Chicago

E-mail: VotingAccessChicago@equipforequality.org

1-312-895-7223

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