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Rights for Voters with Disabilities

Rights for Voters with Specific Needs

What is the Law?

Four federal laws are of special importance to disabled and elderly voters who have specific needs.

  • Voting Rights Act of 1965: Any voter requiring assistance may receive it from a person of the voter’s choice, other than the voter’s employer or agent of that employer or officer or agent of the voter’s union.
  • Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act, 1984: Promotes the fundamental right to vote by requiring “access for elderly and disabled individuals to registration facilities and Vote Centers in federal elections”.
  • Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA): Requires public entities to provide program access, reasonable modification of policy, and auxiliary aids and services where necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in and enjoy the benefits of service, program or activity conducted by a public entity.
  • Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA): New federal legislation enabling greater opportunity for access and participation in the election process, including provisions regarding accessible voting technologies at Vote Centers by 2006.

TDD Services for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing

A text typewriter TDD is available to take calls from any citizen that is hard of hearing. The TDD number is (800) 815-2666 Option 2.

Audio Sample Ballot CD's

Audio sample ballots are recordings of the information printed in ballot pamphlets for State Propositions and County Measures for primary and general elections are available upon request before a major election. Please email requester’s contact info to SpecialServicesOutreach@rrcc.lacounty.gov to request an audio sample ballot. To obtain audio recording of the state proposition, contact California Secretary of State or obtain a copy from RR/CC Election Information Section in Norwalk at (800) 815-2666, options 4 or from city and county libraries and the Braille Institute. The CD’s are available approximately four weeks before the election.

New Accessible Voting Experience

Vote Centers now provide more options than polling places, RR/CC is utilizing the benefits of technology for an easy and accessible voting experience. Elections are no longer a one-day event and voters with disabilities no longer need to vote in a separate voting booth. The Voting Solutions for All People (VSAP) model was designed to be intuitive and accessible for all voters, regardless of disability condition. The ballot marking device provides a private and independent voting experience that is accessible and convenient.

Voter Accessibility Resources

  • To learn more about accessibility at Vote Centers, visit the Vote Center Accessibility page.
  • Remote Accessible Vote by Mail allows voters the ability to access, read and mark their ballots privately with their own assistive devices.
  • The Interactive Sample Ballot is an optional tool that allows voters to access, review and mark their selections prior to going to a Vote Center. The Interactive Sample Ballot is not online voting and does not store any identifiable information, once you access your Sample Ballot all your selections are saved on your phone, computer or personal device.

Accessibility Advisory

The Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee (VAAC) was established in 2006 to assist the Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk in implementing innovative strategies, as well as improving accessibility and participation in the election process for individuals within the full spectrum of disabilities.

Learn more about the Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee.

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