PLAN YOUR VOTE: Your Rights At The Polls

October 21, 2020 by Ross Musick

COVID-19 has fundamentally changed so many aspects of our world, and voting is no exception. Even in the pandemic, people with disabilities are guaranteed several rights when voting in person on Election Day:

Your Rights

• You can bring any materials you need—including your phone, pamphlets, voter guides, or your own notes
• You can bring someone to assist you as long as it’s not your employer, a union representative, or someone on the ballot
• You have the right to vote if you have a guardian
• You have the right to vote alone if that’s what you prefer
• You have the right to get help from a poll worker
• Workers are only allowed to help you with the process of voting, such as understanding the machine, making something accessible, or clarifying instructions. They aren’t allowed to tell you who or what to vote for!
• You have the right to take as long as you need to vote
• You have the right to vote curbside if you cannot enter your polling location due to your disability
• If you need to vote curbside, you can send someone in to alert poll workers of your need or call your local Board of Elections for assistance.

This list is not exhaustive— if you have any other questions about your rights, you can call DRO’s intake line at 614-466-7264. DRO also holds a voter hotline on Election Day from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm at the same number.