The fight for accessible voting for disabled Americans has been ongoing for decades, with progress being made but major gaps still remaining. In a new report to the federal Election Assistance Commission, researchers from Rutgers University and San Diego State University highlighted the improvements in accessibility since the Help America Vote Act in 2002, but also the continued challenges faced by disabled voters.
The report found that while the gap in voter turnout between disabled and non-disabled Americans has narrowed over the years, disabled Americans still vote at much lower rates. In the 2020 election, the turnout gap was about 11 percentage points, down from nearly 17 points in 2000. However, the data also showed a recent increase in the percentage of disabled people reporting difficulty voting, indicating backsliding in progress.
One of the key findings was that making it easier to vote, such as through mail-in voting, had a significant impact on increasing turnout among disabled voters. However, recent restrictions enacted by some states, such as shortening early-voting periods and limiting ballot drop boxes, have raised concerns among disability rights advocates.
The report recommended measures to improve accessibility, including better training for election workers and promoting a wider range of voting options. Despite the challenges, there are signs of change, such as North Carolina now allowing disabled voters to complete absentee ballots electronically. The fight for accessible voting continues, with the hope of closing the remaining turnout gap and ensuring that all Americans can exercise their right to vote independently and securely.
