Albany – The Assembly passed legislation (A.10946) authored by Assemblymember Kevin Cahill (D-Ulster, Dutchess), requiring every voting location in New York State be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). This bill, which now goes to the Senate, moves New York forward in making its electoral process fair and accessible to all of its citizens.
“It has been two decades since the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act, yet some polling sites in New York are still inaccessible to citizens with disabilities. The Ulster County Board of Elections is to be commended for making great strides toward full compliance with requirements,” Assemblymember Cahill said. “Funding from the Help America Vote Act was intended to protect the voting rights of all citizens, including those addressed by the ADA. It is not only a legal obligation, but also our moral imperative to ensure access for every voter.”
By mandating that all polling sites comply with ADA accessibility guidelines on days when elections are being held, this law will help ensure that people with disabilities can be accommodated in a fair and equitable fashion at polling sites. This legislation repeals an outdated waiver process that allows for the continued usage of sites that are not ADA compliant.
Many polling sites are ill equipped to provide basic access to people with disabilities. Often times, such barriers as steep steps and narrow doorways impede the only available routes to these buildings. Entrances that are more accommodating to those with disabilities are frequently obscured from view, due to a lack of proper signage. Moreover, many polling sites are located in basements, which can only be accessed via stairwells. A lack of adequate handicapped parking spaces has been a deterrent as well.
“Particularly during this time of conflict overseas, it is unacceptable that some of our wounded returning veterans might not have access to their polling sites,” said Assemblymember Cahill. “It is our duty to protect the voting rights of all people who legally have the right to vote, regardless of their physical condition, and that is what my legislation does.”
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