How disabled Iowans are getting help making their vote count in 2024

DES MOINES, IOWA — All polling sites in Iowa are required to be accessible to Iowans with disabilities per the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Iowa Secretary of States Office along with organizations like Disability Rights Iowa work to make sure that polling sites offer equal access to disabled Iowans.

In a statement, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate said:

“ Voting is a fundamental right, and it’s vitally important that every eligible Iowa voter is able to safely and securely cast their vote.

My office, alongside election officials in all 99 counties, have made a commitment to ensuring accessible voting options are available. Over the past few years, we have worked closely with organizations like Disability Rights Iowa and the Iowa Disability Council throughout the year to improve accessibility measures and ensure that we are meeting the unique needs of Iowans with disabilities.

Every polling place is required to be ADA compliant, and each precinct has accessible voting machines that assist voters who need it and produce paper ballots. There are bipartisan teams of poll workers available at every polling place who can help voters mark and cast their ballot if they request it, and curbside voting is available to anyone who is unable to enter the building. Bipartisan teams of poll workers will come to the voters in their cars and assist them. “

Piper Haugen, a Voting Rights Advocate with Disability Rights Iowa, said that she works to provide training for county auditors and poll workers to help them meet their goal of providing accessible elections. “I’m really excited to be able to offer assistance where I can for county auditors. We work with Secretary of State’s office to ensure that training for the election officials is adequate and everyone knows exactly what needs to be done the day of election,” Haugen said.

Disability Rights Iowa, along with the Iowa DD Council, are hosting seven forums throughout the month of October where they will invite Iowa Congressional Candidates to meet with the disabled community. To find a list of when and where the forums will take place this month visit Disability Rights Iowa’s website .

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