Published On: November 2, 2015

Exercising your Right to Vote

This information was shared from the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities. Click here to visit their website.
Exercising the right to vote is an essential element of our civil rights. Every person who has registered to vote and has proper identification should be able to cast their vote privately and independently at their polling place or through absentee voting.
On Election Day, Tuesday, November 3rd, Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services (IPAS) advocates and attorneys will be available to answer questions and take complaints from persons with disabilities who have any issue casting their vote. IPAS staff will be available to take calls during the time the polls are open, 6:00AM EST – 7:00PM EST (6:00PM CST).
Unfortunately, some people with disabilities may experience issues when they try to vote.If you experience any of the following issues, call IPAS:

  • Lack of an accessible path from the parking spot/drop off point to the voting booth;
  • Stairs or non-paved surfaces such as gravel or grass as the only path to the polling location;
  • Lack of at least one doorway wide enough for a wheelchair to get through to access the polling location;
  • Lack of at least one set of automatic doors or someone available to open doors.
  • Lack of a functioning, accessible voting machine.
  • Lack of poll workers available who know how to assist with operating the accessible voting machine.

Know your rights. If you require assistance in order to cast your vote, a poll worker may assist you or you may bring someone with you to assist you. The person who assists you cannot be your employer or your union representative. You must request assistance before you enter the voting booth.
If you are a person with a disability, and you are unable to cast your vote privately and independently during this election, contact IPAS at 800-622-4845. You will be prompted to enter an extension number. Between the hours of 6:00AM-12:30PM EST, enter extension #451. After 12:30PM, enter extension #470. Leave a message with your phone number and issue. Your call will be returned promptly.