Disability Rights Center of New Hampshire

Examples of Reasonable Accommodations for Voters with Disabilities

Posted in: Know Your RightsTagged in: , , Posted on
Print
Person with light skin tone, short blonde hair, and using a wheelchair nuzzles black service dog with red vest.

Voters with disabilities are entitled to accommodations in registering to vote and voting. If you need help voting because of your disability, you can request an accommodation.  Accommodations do not permit another person to vote on behalf of a person with a disability, but they do permit a person with a disability to receive help to register, understand the ballot and the voting process, and to cast a ballot. Legally, accommodations are limited by whether they are “reasonable.”

Examples of reasonable accommodations:
  • You can bring your service animal. Service animals are allowed to go in all areas of the polling place where the public is allowed to go.
  • If you have a disability and standing in line is difficult, you can ask for a chair or to move to front of the line.
  • If you cannot access the polling place, you can request ‘curbside voting’ where an absentee ballot is brought to you in your car or other accessible location outside of the polling location.
  • You can request help to fill out your ballot. Help can be provided by a friend, family member, caregiver, service provider, or a poll worker. The only people who cannot help you mark or cast your ballot are your employer or union representative.
Contact DRC-NH if you encounter difficulty voting on Election Day or if you have specific questions about your right to a reasonable accommodation when voting.

Additional Information & Resources

Voting

All Americans are entitled to exercise their right to vote. We work to educate NH residents with disabilities about voting rights and responsibilities.

About DRCNH

Disability Rights Center – New Hampshire is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating barriers for people with disabilities across New Hampshire. DRC is the federally designated protection and advocacy agency for New Hampshire and has authority under federal law to conduct investigations in cases of probable abuse or neglect.

News Updates