Updated September2024
ACL and the disability and aging networks it funds are working together to ensure that older adults and people with disabilities are able to exercise their fundamental right to vote. ACL's programs provide a variety of resources, including information and education, supportive services and legal assistance. They also work with their states and communities to improve access to the voting process.
ACL compiled this page to serve as a resource "hub" to make it easier for disabled people and older adults to find the voting resources they need.
Know your rights!
Several federal laws protect the voting rights of older Americans and people with disabilities and require accessible polling places.
The U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division has more information about voting laws, enforcement actions, and how to file a complaint if you believe your voting rights have been violated.
Voting information for older adults and people with disabilities
- Vote.gov has information on how to vote, voter registration requirements and deadlines, and locating your state or local election office website.
- The voting section of the National Disability Rights Network website includes a wide range of voting information for people with disabilities.
- The Southeast ADA Center compiled a Resource List with information on accessible voting.
- ACL's disability networks also have created a variety of resources for voters with disabilities in their states:
- AK: Understanding the Nonpartisan Primary video for Alaskans.
- CA: First-time voter guide and Remote Access Vote by Mail System FAQs.
- FL: Video discussion on accessible in-person voting, a voting machine explainer video, a Your Disability Rights voting brochure, Know Your Rights Fact Sheets about making a voting access complaint and supervised facility voting, and a guide to visiting the voting rights section of the Disability Rights Florida web site.
- DE: Guide to voting in Delaware's general elections.
- GA: Voter Resources from the GA Council on Developmental Disabilities.
- IA: Voter Resources from the IA Council on Developmental Disabilities Council.
- ID: Idaho’s Determined to Vote non-partisan Voter Toolkit.
- IN: Information on how to be a poll worker from Indiana Disability Rights.
- NC: Voter guides available in various languages and alternative formats.
- ND: Voting webpage, which includes a 30 second voting video and other resources.
- NH: Voter toolkit and co-hosted a town hall.
- NJ: Voting Rights by the NJ Council on Developmental Disabilities and NJ DD Network partners.
- NM: Accessible voting presentation prepared by the NM Council on Developmental Disabilities Center for Self-Advocacy Partners.
- NY: Information on services and resources for college students with disabilities from Disability Rights New York.
- OR: Increased dissemination of its voting guide.
- SC: Voting resource from Disability Rights South Carolina
- TX: Essential voting information from the TX Council on Developmental Disabilities.
- UT: Educational video about vote-by-mail and access barriers Utah citizens with disabilities face.
- VA: In this video, a fellow at the disability Law Center of Virginia shares why she votes.
- VI: Conducted voting forum.
- WI: Our Voices Our Votes (April 2022).
- The U.S. Election Assistance Commission offers 10 Tips for Voters with Disabilities (PDF).
Need assistance?
- ACL's State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program may be able to help if a person who lives in long-term care facility, such as nursing homes and assisted living facilities, is having difficulty exercising their right to vote. The National Ombudsman Resource Center has contact information for each state's program.
- Additional assistance, such as rides to polling places, may also be available. The Eldercare Locator can connect older adults to local assistance, and the Disability Information and Assistance Line can do the same for people with disabilities. Both are available by phone or live chat Monday - Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. (Eastern).
- Through the Voting Access Program created by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), state protection and advocacy agencies (P&As) provide services to people with disabilities and work with states and elections systems to ensure people with disabilities are able to exercise their ability to participate in the electoral process, including registering to vote, casting a vote, and accessing polling places. For people with disabilities, these services include training, education, and assistance with resolving complaints. (Each P&A determines the best mix of voting assistance services to provide based on the needs of their community. To find your state P&A for requesting assistance with voting, visit this website and select your state.
P&As also provide training and education on voting rights of people with disabilities -- and best practices for upholding them -- to election officials, poll workers, and election volunteers. They also provide technical assistance on ensuring physical accessibility of polling places.