[MD-AtLarge] Access by Voters with Disabilities

[William Borner]

Our primary was moved from June to July. The deadline to request so-called mail in ballots has also been extended. Supposedly there is an option to help someone fill out your form over the phone… Curious how this is going to work.
😎🦯

https://elections.maryland.gov/voting/accessibility.html

Access by Voters with Disabilities
How Maryland Votes the ExpressVote (PDF)

Maryland is committed to making voting accessible to all voters. All of the early voting centers in Maryland are accessible to voters with disabilities.

Presidential General Election

In-Person Voting

You can vote in person during early voting at any early voting center in the county in which you reside. On election day, you must vote at your assigned polling place.

By mail-In ballot

Request a mail-in ballot. Your ballot can be mailed or printed from SBE's website. If you have a disability and cannot mark your ballot independently, we offer an online tool to help you mark your ballot. With this tool, most voters with disabilities can make selections without help. If you would like to use this online tool, request a mail-in ballot and check the box saying that you want to print your ballot from SBE's website.

See the Mail-In Voting page for more information.

Important Note: A recent change in the law requires the State Board of Elections and each local board of elections to refer to absentee ballots as mail-in ballots and absentee voting as mail-in voting. Please note that this change in terminology does NOT change the process of mail-in voting.

Is accessible voting available?

Yes, a ballot marking device that is accessible to most voters is available at all voting locations in early voting centers and polling places. Using a headset and keypad, blind voters and voters with low vision are able to vote by listening to the ballot selections and by using the keypad. You may also choose to use the high contrast and large print functions of the voting unit. Other assistive devices (for example, sip and puff) can be plugged into the device.

If you want to use the audio ballot, ask an election judge. Election judges will answer questions and help you, if needed.

Is there a way I mark my mail-in ballot without help?

Yes. Go to elections.maryland.gov to request a ballot. When completing the application to request a ballot, select the option to receive access to your ballot through email. We will send you an email when your ballot is ready. The email will include a link with instructions to access our online ballot delivery system.

When you access the system, you can mark your ballot online using the accessible online ballot marking tool and then print your ballot, or you can download and print your ballot and mark your selections by hand. If you use this tool, you make your choices on your computer and print your ballot. Your printed ballot will have your choices marked. With this tool, most voters with disabilities can make selections without help.

Your voted ballot must be printed and returned to your local election office by mail, by ballot drop box, or in person. If you return your voted ballot by email or fax, it will not count.

Can someone help me vote?

Yes. You can bring someone to help you vote as long as that person is not:

Your employer or an agent of your employer
An officer or agent of your union
A challenger or watcher
Or, you may choose to have two election judges help you.

The person helping you must sign the Voter Assistance Form and cannot suggest how you should vote.

Who can I contact if I have an accessibility question or concern?

You can find your local board of elections contact information here.. You can also email Melissia Dorsey at the State Board of Elections.



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