Voting inaccessible? Try these voting hotlines
by Beth
I wrote a post earlier this month about times I’ve had problems accessing the talking voting machines at our local polling place. The Illinois primary is tomorrow, and this time I’ll head to the booth armed with phone numbers of hotlines ready to help people with disabilities who have problems voting :
- U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, Voting Section: for complaints related to ballot access, call 800-253-3931. TTY: 877-267-8971
- Lawyers’ Committee on Civil Rights under Law Election Protection Hotline: For help with disability/access issues, call 866-OURVOTE (866.6878683).
During the last state primary my issue with the voting machine couldn’t be resolved, and my husband, who can see, had to sign an affidavit to be able to help me with a written ballot. Voting specialists on these hotlines recorded details and referred my issue “to the proper authorities for follow-up action.”
My hope is that the follow-up worked and things go smoothly tomorrow. Not only for me, but for all of us at the polling places. And if not, it is reassuring to know there are people on these hotlines ready to help.
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