Voting: A Legal Overview
Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act
The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 generally requires polling places across the United States to be physically accessible to people with disabilities for federal elections. Where no accessible location is available to serve as a polling place, a political subdivision must provide an alternate means of casting a ballot on the day of the election. This law also requires states to make available registration and voting aids for disabled and elderly voters, including information by telecommunications devices for the deaf (TDDs) which are also known as teletypewriters (TTYs). For more information, contact:
U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division,
Washington, D.C. 20530
(800) 253-3931 (voice/TTY)
National Voter Registration Act
The National Voter Registration Act of 1993, also known as the "Motor Voter Act," makes it easier for all Americans to exercise their fundamental right to vote. One of the basic purposes of the Act is to increase the historically low registration rates of minorities and persons with disabilities that have resulted from discrimination. The Motor Voter Act requires all offices of State-funded programs that are primarily engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities to provide all program applicants with voter registration forms, to assist them in completing the forms, and to transmit completed forms to the appropriate State official. For more information, contact:
U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
Washington, D.C. 20530
www.usdoj.gov/crt/voting
(800) 253-3931 (voice/TTY)
Can my organization work in a coalition with other groups that conduct voter registration, education, and get-out-the-vote programs?
Yes, as long as the effort is non-partisan. Participating organizations and individuals cannot make any statements in support of or in opposition to any particular candidate or party, or conduct any other activity designed to reflect a preference or recommendation for any political party or candidate.
Can vehicles owned by non-profit organizations be used to transport voters to the polls? Can drivers employed by the organization transport voters to the polls?
Yes to both questions. You can even affix nonpartisan messages to vehicles encouraging voters to go to the polls. However, make certain that the vehicles and the drivers do not display any partisan literature, buttons, posters, flyers, bumper stickers or other political propaganda.
Can a staff person registering voters in a 501(c)3 agency wear a button or put a bumper sticker on his/her car that has the name of a favored candidate?
No, not while registering the voters. This caution does not apply to referenda; you may urge citizens to "support or stop Proposition X."
Can my agency place posters in conspicuous places?
Yes, as long as they do not refer to political parties or candidates. Note: the NVRA applies to all states except: Idaho, Minnesota, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Wyoming. These states are exempt because they offer voter registration at the polling place on election day; North Dakota does not have a voter registration system.
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