[nabs-l] [acb-l] polling place access issues to this day in mi
Chris Nusbaum
dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com
Sun Jul 10 15:30:00 UTC 2011
I=20forwarded=20this=20because=20since=20the=20NFB=20is=20working=20to=20en=
sure=20
accessible=20voting=20and=20was=20the=20driving=20force=20behind=20the=20He=
lp=20
America=20Vote=20Act=20(HAVA.)=20So,=20we=20might=20be=20able=20to=20work=20=
jointly=20
with=20ACB=20on=20this.=20=20What=20does
everyone=20think?
=20Chris
"A=20loss=20of=20sight,=20never=20a=20loss=20of=20vision!"=20(Camp=20Abilit=
ies=20motto)
The=20I=20C.A.N.=20=20Foundation=20helps=20visually=20impaired=20youth=20in=
=20
Maryland=20have=20the=20ability=20to=20confidently=20say=20"I=20can!"=20How=
?=20Click=20
on=20this=20link=20to=20learn=20more=20and=20to=20contribute:=20
www.icanfoundation.info=20or=20like=20us=20on=20Facebook=20at=20I=20C.A.N.=
=20=20
Foundation.
=20Sent=20from=20my=20BrailleNote
=20-----=20Original=20Message=20-----
From:=20Joshua=20Lester=20<jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu
To:=20National=20Association=20of=20Blind=20Students=20mailing=20list=20
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org
Date=20sent:=20Fri,=208=20Jul=202011=2020:25:02=20-0500
Subject:=20Re:=20[nabs-l]=20[acb-l]=20polling=20place=20access=20issues=20t=
o=20this=20
day=20in=20mi
Chris,=20why=20are=20you=20forwarding=20stuff=20from=20the=20ACB?
Blessings,=20Joshua
On=207/8/11,=20Chris=20Nusbaum=20<dotkid.nusbaum at gmail.com>=20wrote:
=20Thoughts=20on=20this?
=20=20Chris
=20"A=20loss=20of=20sight,=20never=20a=20loss=20of=20vision!"=20(Camp=20Abi=
lities=20
motto)
=20The=20I=20C.A.N.=20=20Foundation=20helps=20visually=20impaired=20youth=20=
in
=20Maryland=20have=20the=20ability=20to=20confidently=20say=20"I=20can!"=20=
How?=20Click
=20on=20this=20link=20to=20learn=20more=20and=20to=20contribute:
=20www.icanfoundation.info=20or=20like=20us=20on=20Facebook=20at=20I=20C.A.=
N.
=20Foundation.
=20=20Sent=20from=20my=20BrailleNote
=20=20----=20Original=20Message=20------
=20From:=20"joe=20harcz=20Comcast"=20<joeharcz at comcast.net
=20Subject:=20[acb-l]=20polling=20place=20access=20issues=20to=20this=20day=
=20in=20mi
=20Date=20sent:=20Thu,=207=20Jul=202011=2010:05:31=20-0400
=20A=20Call=20to=20Action=20=96
=20Unfinished=20Business=20to=20Ensure=20Michigan=20Voters=20with=20Disabil=
ities
=20Have=20Access=20to=20the=20Polls=20in=202012
=20A=20Public=20Report=20on
=20Polling=20Place
=20Accessibility=20in=20Michigan
=20Public=20Report=20by
=20Michigan=20Protection=20and=20Advocacy=20Service,=20Inc.
=202011
=20Acknowledgements
=20Michigan=20Protection=20and=20Advocacy=20Service=20(MPAS)=20is=20Michiga=
n=92s
=20designated=20agency=20to=20advocate=20and=20protect=20the=20legal=20righ=
ts=20of
=20persons=20with=20disabilities,=20mandated
=20by=20federal=20and=20state=20law.=20=20MPAS=20receives=20funding=20from=
=20the
=20Administration=20on=20Developmental=20Disabilities,=20the=20center=20for=
=20Mental=20Health=20Services=20=96=20Substance
=20Abuse=20and=20Mental=20Health=20Services=20Administration,=20the
=20Rehabilitation=20Services=20Administration,=20the=20Social=20Security
=20Administration,=20the=20State=20of=20Michigan
=20and=20from=20private=20donations.
=20Funding=20for=20this=20report=20has=20been=20made=20possible=20through=20=
the=20U.S.
=20Department=20of=20Health=20and=20Human=20Services,=20Administration=20fo=
r
=20Children=20and=20Families,=20and=20the
=20Administration=20on=20Developmental=20Disabilities.=20=20The=20contents=
=20are
=20the=20sole=20responsibility=20of=20the=20author=20and=20do=20not=20neces=
sarily
=20represent=20the=20official=20views
=20of=20the=20U.S.=20=20Department=20of=20Health=20and=20Human=20Services.
=202011=20by=20Michigan=20Protection=20and=20Advocacy=20Service,=20Inc.=20=
=20This
=20publication=20may=20be=20reproduced=20in=20part=20or=20in=20its=20entire=
ty=20for
=20noncommercial=20purposes=20as=20long
=20as=20appropriate=20credit=20is=20given.
=20Table=20of=20Contents
=20Executive
=20
Summary..........................................................
=20...................................................5
=20Midterm
=20
Report...........................................................
=20.........................................................6
=20Michigan=92s=20Polling=20Place=20Accessibility
=20
Project..........................................................
=20.........7
=20Communicating=20Accessibility=20Problems=20with=20Election
=20Officials......................................10
=20Next
=20
Steps............................................................
=20..............................................................11
=20In
=20
Summary..........................................................
=20..............................................................11
=20Accessibility=20Rate=20Per
=20
County...........................................................
=20................................13
=20Executive=20Summary
=20In=20Michigan,=20voters=20with=20disabilities=20face=20obstacles=20at=20=
voting
=20locations=20often=20because=20their=20polling=20place=20lacks=20physical=
=20accessibility.=20=20The=20Help=20America
=20Vote=20Act=20(HAVA)=20acknowledged=20the=20unique=20obstacles=20faced=20=
by=20
voters
=20with=20disabilities=20and=20authorized=20funding=20for=20the=20federally=
=20mandated=20Protection=20and=20Advocacy
=20Voting=20Access=20programs=20(PAVA)=20to=20help=20remove=20barriers.
=20Unfortunately,=20this=20vital=20mandate=20has=20been=20targeted=20for
=20elimination=20in=20the=20President=92s=20proposed
=202012=20budget.
=20HAVA=20charged=20Michigan=20Protection=20and=20Advocacy=20Service,=20(MP=
AS),
=20and=20other=20Protection=20&=20Advocacy=20agencies=20with=20helping=20to=
=20ensure
=20the=20full=20participation=20of
=20individuals=20with=20disabilities=20in=20the=20electoral=20process,=20
including
=20registering=20to=20vote,=20casting=20a=20ballot,=20and=20accessing=20pol=
ling
=20places.
=20The=20PAVA=20program=20at=20MPAS=20is=20designed=20to=20ensure=20that=20=
every
=20eligible=20Michigan=20resident=20receives=20equal=20access=20to=20their=
=20
polling
=20location=20and=20has=20the=20opportunity
=20to=20cast=20an=20independent=20secret=20ballot.=20=20MPAS=20staff=20memb=
ers=20are=20on
=20the=20ground=20providing=20advice,=20technical=20assistance,=20and=20tra=
ining
=20to=20election=20officials=20about
=20voting=20accessibility=20across=20the=20spectrum=20of=20disabilities.=20=
=20The
=20agency=20also=20provides=20outreach=20and=20training=20to=20voters=20wit=
h
=20disabilities,=20poll=20workers,=20and
=20service=20providers.=20=20MPAS=20and=20the=20Secretary=20of=20State=20of=
=20Michigan
=20partnered=20over=20the=20past=20six=20years=20working=20toward=20this=20=
goal,=20
which
=20has=20been=20effective=20in
=20increasing=20physical=20access=20to=20polling=20locations=20throughout
=20Michigan.
=20Voting=20is=20a=20fundamental=20right=20protected=20by=20the=20United=20=
States
=20Constitution,=20upheld=20by=20the=20Supreme=20Court=20and=20subject=20to=
=20intense
=20public=20scrutiny=20each=20election
=20cycle.=20=20Provisions=20within=20these=20protections=20prohibit
=20discrimination=20against=20people=20with=20disabilities=20in=20the=20ele=
ctoral
=20process.=20=20Exercising=20their=20Constitutional
=20right,=20however,=20has=20continued=20to=20be=20a=20challenge=20for=20in=
dividuals
=20with=20disabilities=20despite=20changes=20made=20to=20federal=20and=20st=
ate=20laws
=20intended=20to=20ensure=20full
=20participation.
=20Key=20Summary
=20=A8=20=20=20=20=20=20Disability=20advocates=20have=20visited=2095%=20(3,=
457)=20and
=20reviewed=20the=20exterior=20of=20polling=20locations=20in=20Michigan.
=20=A8=20=20=20=20=20=20Upon=20initial=20review,=20Michigan=20Protection=20=
and=20Advocacy
=20Service=20found=20that=20only=2075%=20of=203,457=20Michigan=20polling=20=
places=20
were
=20compliant=20under=20the=20Americans
=20with=20Disabilities=20Act.
=20=A8=20=20=20=20=20=20After=20working=20with=20state=20and=20local=20offi=
cials,=20it=20is
=20anticipated=20that=20Michigan=92s=20accessibility=20rate=20will=20be=20i=
ncreased
=20to=2090%=20in=202012.
=20=A8=20=20=20=20=20=20Of=20the=20locations=20that=20were=20inaccessible,=
=2060%=20had=20one
=20barrier,=2030%=20had=20two=20types=20of=20barriers,=20and=206%=20had=20t=
hree=20or=20more
=20types=20of=20barriers.
=20=A8=20=20=20=20=20=20Only=20six=20of=20the=2084=20counties=20in=20Michig=
an=20were=20100%
=20physically=20accessible=20upon=20initial=20visit.
=20=A8=20=20=20=20=20=20MPAS=20continues=20to=20receive=20complaints=20rega=
rding=20the
=20AutoMARK,=20Michigan=92s=20accessible=20ballot=20marking=20device.
=20Michigan=20has=20made=20great=20strides=20toward=20accessibility=20at=20=
the
=20polls.=20=20This=20report=20will=20highlight=20the=20steps=20taken=20to=
=20ensure=20
that
=20all=20polling=20locations=20throughout
=20Michigan=20are=20accessible=20to=20voters=20with=20disabilities.=20=20In=
=20addition,=20the=20report=20will=20offer=20recommendations=20for=20Michig=
an=20to
=20achieve=20and=20maintain=20an=20accessibility
=20rate=20of=20100%.
=202010=20Mid=20Term=20Report
=20Acknowledging=20widespread=20irregularity=20throughout=20the=20country,
=20Congress=20passed=20the=20Help=20America=20Vote=20Act=20(HAVA)=20in=2020=
02.=20=20HAVA
=20included=20sweeping=20legislation
=20intended=20to=20modernize=20the=20electoral=20system=20for=20all=20voter=
s,
=20including=20those=20with=20disabilities.=20=20The=20Help=20America=20Vot=
e=20Act
=20reinforced=20the=20application=20of
=20Title=20II=20of=20the=20Americans=20with=20Disabilities=20Act=20and=20Se=
ction=20504
=20of=20the=20Rehabilitation=20Act.=20=20Furthermore,=20in=202004,=20Michig=
an
=20lawmakers=20amended=20Michigan=20election
=20law=20(Public=20Act=2092=20of=202004)=20to=20require=20the=20removal=20o=
f=20physical
=20barriers=20at=20polling=20locations.=20=20Irrespective=20of=20both=20fed=
eral=20and
=20state=20law,=2025%=20of=20Michigan's
=20voting=20locations=20continued=20to=20be=20inaccessible=20for=20the=20No=
vember
=202010=20general=20election.=20=20To=20achieve=20an=20all-encompassing=20v=
oting
=20standard=20for=20the=20fifty=20states,
=20HAVA=20included=20two=20key=20components=20for=20the=20disability=20comm=
unity:
=20=A8=20=20=20=20=20=20All=20polling=20places=20must=20have=20at=20least=20=
one=20voting=20system
=20which=20allows=20all=20citizens=20to=20cast=20a=20ballot=20privately=20a=
nd
=20independently,=20whether=20or=20not=20one
=20has=20a=20disability.
=20=A8=20=20=20=20=20=20States=20must=20ensure=20accessibility=20at=20all=20=
public=20polling
=20places=20in=20a=20manner=20compliant=20with=20the=20Americans=20with=20
Disabilities
=20Act=20(ADA).
=20Accessible=20Voting=20System
=20In=202004,=20the=20disability=20community=20and=20the=20Michigan=20Secre=
tary=20of
=20State=92s=20Bureau=20of=20Elections=20(BOE)=20carefully=20assessing=20wh=
ich
=20accessible=20device=20would=20best
=20fit=20the=20needs=20of=20Michigan=20voters,=20and=20in=202006=20selected=
=20the
=20AutoMARK.=20=20The=20AutoMARK=20is=20an=20accessible=20ballot=20marking=
=20device
=20that=20can=20be=20used=20by=20all=20voters
=20with=20or=20without=20disabilities.
=20Although=20every=20polling=20location=20is=20equipped=20with=20the=20Aut=
oMARK,
=20each=20municipality=20is=20responsible=20for=20making=20sure=20it=20is=20=
set=20up=20
and
=20operating=20properly.=20=20Unfortunately,
=20MPAS=20continues=20to=20receive=20complaints=20about=20the=20AutoMARK.=20=
=20Voter
=20complaints=20have=20included=20the=20following:=20=20the=20AutoMARK=20wa=
s=20boxed
=20up=20on=20Election=20Day,=20unplugged,
=20jammed=20up,=20turned=20off,=20or=20set=20up=20so=20other=20voters=20cou=
ld=20see=20the
=20=93secret=94=20ballot.=20=20Complaints=20concerning=20jammed=20ballots=20=
have=20been
=20greatly=20reduced=20since=20the
=20last=20round=20of=20updates=20were=20completed.=20=20Because=20the=20Aut=
oMARK=20is
=20used=20only=20on=20Election=20Day,=20MPAS=20relies=20on=20voter=20feedba=
ck=20to
=20correct=20these=20kinds=20of=20problems.
=20=20MPAS=20continues=20to=20monitor=20and=20respond=20to=20complaints=20a=
s=20they
=20arise.
=20Accessible=20Polling=20Places
=20Under=20HAVA,=20the=20federal=20government=20allocated=20money=20to=20as=
sist=20
with
=20the=20purchase=20of=20accessible=20equipment=20like=20the=20AutoMARK,=20=
but=20also
=20to=20help=20municipalities
=20make=20their=20polling=20places=20physically=20accessible.=20=20Congress=
=20recognized=20that=20in=20order=20for=20people=20to=20use=20the=20accessi=
ble=20voting
=20machines,=20the=20building=20must
=20also=20be=20accessible=20so=20voters=20can=20access=20the=20polling=20lo=
cation=20and
=20voting=20equipment.=20=20It=20is=20the=20local=20election=20officials=92=
=20responsibility=20to=20make=20sure=20all
=20polling=20locations=20are=20accessible=20on=20Election=20Day.=20=20To=20=
help=20cover
=20the=20expense=20for=20removing=20barriers=20at=20polling=20locations,=20=
the
=20Michigan=20BOE=20administers=20a
=20grant=20program=20called=20Access=20for=20All,=20under=20the=20U.S.=20=20=
Department
=20of=20Health=20and=20Human=20Services=20with=20funding=20allocated=20thro=
ugh=20
HAVA,
=20to=20help=20the=20state=20comply
=20with=20HAVA.=20=20In=20most=20circumstances,=20the=20Access=20for=20All=
=20grants
=20cover=20all=20costs=20associated=20with=20accessibility=20upgrades=20for=
=20polling=20locations.
=20When=20Michigan=92s=20State=20Plan=20to=20implement=20provisions=20under=
=20HAVA=20
was
=20initiated=20in=202004,=20municipal=20clerks=20were=20required=20to=20com=
plete=20an
=20accessibility=20checklist
=20to=20determine=20whether=20or=20not=20their=20locations=20were=20accessi=
ble.
=20This=20was=20one=20of=20the=20state=92s=20first=20attempts=20to=20gather=
=20information
=20on=20Michigan=92s=20polling=20place
=20accessibility.=20=20During=20this=20time,=20MPAS=20and=20other=20organiz=
ations
=20were=20working=20closely=20with=20individual=20election=20officials=20on=
=20polling=20location=20reviews=20and
=20were=20also=20training=20the=20municipal=20clerks=20on=20the=20accessibi=
lity
=20requirements.=20=20MPAS=20also=20spent=20a=20considerable=20amount=20of=
=20time
=20assisting=20clerks=20with=20assessing
=20the=20accessibility=20of=20their=20polling=20locations=20and=20helping=20=
them
=20apply=20for=20Access=20for=20All=20grant=20money.=20=20MPAS=20found=20th=
at=20the
=20accessibility=20data=20provided=20by
=20clerks=20was=20not,=20in=20certain=20instances,=20wholly=20reliable.
=20MPAS=20brought=20this=20to=20the=20Bureau=20of=20Election=92s=20(BOE)=20=
attention=20
and
=20shared=20independent=20accessibility=20reviews=20with=20them.=20=20The=20=
BOE=20has
=20since=20increased=20efforts
=20to=20ensure=20the=20accuracy=20of=20reporting=20by=20improving=20communi=
cation
=20and=20requiring=20additional=20documentation=20from=20the=20clerks.
=20In=202008,=20MPAS=20started=20to=20assess=20municipal=20polling=20locati=
ons
=20randomly,=20without=20notifying=20the=20election=20official=20in=20advan=
ce.
=20After=20compiling=20this=20data=20on
=20polling=20locations=20statewide,=20the=20systemic=20issue=20of
=20inaccessibility=20became=20a=20heightened=20concern.=20=20Once=20these=20=
concerns
=20were=20communicated=20to=20the=20Bureau=20of
=20Elections,=20they=20backed=20a=20new=20initiative=20in=202010=20dramatic=
ally
=20increasing=20their=20involvement=20in=20the=20advancement=20of=20polling=
=20place
=20accessibility.
=20This=20same=20year,=20the=20federal=20government=20began=20reviewing=20h=
ow=20the
=20states=20were=20spending=20HAVA=20funds.=20=20This=20fueled=20speculatio=
n=20that
=20the=20federal=20government=20would
=20eliminate=20the=20monies=20available=20under=20HAVA,=20since=20some=20st=
ates=20had
=20not=20spent=20their=20money,=20rather=20placing=20it=20in=20an=20account=
=20and
=20allowing=20the=20funds=20to=20gain
=20interest.=20=20Concerned=20that=20Congress=20would=20pull=20the=20alloca=
ted=20
funds
=20completely,=20which=20would=20prevent=20municipalities=20from=20accessin=
g
=20money=20to=20make=20polling=20places
=20accessible,=20MPAS,=20along=20with=20the=20Michigan=20Bureau=20of=20Elec=
tions,
=20embarked=20on=20a=20project=20to=20ensure=20100%=20accessibility=20at=20=
all
=20Michigan=20polling=20places.
=20Michigan=92s=20Polling=20Place=20Accessibility=20Project
=20In=202010,=20Michigan=20started=20building=20the=20framework=20of=20a=20=
statewide
=20plan=20to=20reach=20100%=20polling=20place=20accessibility.=20=20MPAS=20=
and=20the
=20Bureau=20of=20Elections=20strengthened
=20their=20partnership=20in=20order=20to=20achieve=20this=20goal.=20=20With=
in=20this
=20plan,=20MPAS=20would=20review=20the=20exterior=20of=20all=20locations=20=
throughout
=20the=20state.=20=20Michigan=20has
=20approximately=203,600=20polling=20places=20in=20total.=20=20MPAS=20had=20=
already
=20gathered=20information=20on=20530=20polling=20places=20prior=20to=202010=
,
=20therefore,=20did=20not=20revisit=20those
=20locations=20(some=20were=20initially=20accessible=20and=20others=20MPAS=
=20worked
=20closely=20with=20clerks=20to=20improve=20accessibility.=20=20MPAS=20is=20=
still
=20working=20with=20clerks=20to=20bring
=20the=20remaining=2057=20of=20the=20530=20polling=20locations=20into=20com=
pliance).
=20MPAS=20was=20able=20to=20visit=20the=20remaining=202,927=20polling=20loc=
ations=20in
=202010.
=20Overall,=20MPAS=20conducted=20on-site=20reviews=20of=20at=20least=2095%=
=20of=20the
=20polling=20places=20in=20Michigan.
=20The=20on-site=20reviews=20conducted=20in=202010,=20exposed=20nearly=2025=
%=20of=20the
=20polling=20places=20that=20remained=20physically=20inaccessible=20as=20re=
quired
=20by=20the=20Americans=20with
=20Disabilities=20Accessibility=20Guidelines.
=20Of=20the=203,457=20polling=20locations=20noted=20above,=202,927=20were=20=
assessed
=20between=20May-August=202010.=20=20Using=20the=20ADAAG=20as=20a=20benchma=
rk=20to
=20determine=20physical=20accessibility,
=20over=20800=20polling=20locations=20within=20the=202,927=20locations=20vi=
sited,
=20had=20physical=20barriers=20failing=20to=20comply=20with=20the=20ADAAG=20=
=96=20
barriers
=20that=20create=20potential
=20difficulties=20to=20voters=20with=20disabilities=20on=20Election=20Day.
=20Barriers=20can=20prevent=20people=20with=20disabilities=20from=20fully
=20participating=20in=20all=20aspects=20of=20society=20because=20of=20their=
=20disability.=20=20This=20might=20include=20architectural
=20barriers,=20physical=20barriers,=20communication=20barriers,=20attitudin=
al
=20barriers,=20cultural=20barriers,=20etc.=20=20Throughout=20this=20project=
,=20
MPAS=92
=20reviews=20focused=20primarily
=20on=20physical=20and=20external=20barriers,=20which=20are=20defined=20as=
=20
something
=20material=20that=20blocks=20passage.=20=20Physical=20barriers=20addressed=
=20in
=20this=20report=20include=20objects
=20in=20the=20environment=20such=20as=20inaccessible=20doors=20or=20doorway=
s,
=20inaccessible=20elevators=20or=20lack=20thereof,=20inaccessible=20door
=20hardware,=20inaccessible=20parking,=20etc.
=20Among=20the=202,927=20polling=20locations=20visited=20in=202010,=2028%=20=
did=20not
=20meet=20accessibility=20standards.=20=20Based=20on=20discussions=20with=20=
the=20BOE
=20in=202008,=20when=20MPAS=20completed
=20the=20unannounced=20visits,=20clerks=20were=20not=20only=20notified=20wi=
th=20a
=20letter=20from=20MPAS=20concerning=20accessibility,=20but=20they=20were=20=
also
=20notified=20by=20the=20Bureau=20of=20Elections.
=20MPAS=20and=20the=20BOE=20required=20prompt=20reply=20about=20the=20munic=
ipalities
=20plans=20to=20meet=20ADA=20requirements.=20=20The=20letters=20contained=20=
a
=20photograph=20of=20the=20problem=20area(s),
=20along=20with=20the=20appropriate=20ADAAG=20citation.=20=20Within=20a=20f=
ive=20month
=20period,=20letters=20were=20sent=20to=20over=20440=20municipalities=20con=
cerning
=20approximately=20800=20polling
=20locations.
=20As=20shown=20below,=2028%=20of=20the=20polling=20places=20visited=20in=20=
2010=20had
=20some=20type=20of=20physical=20barrier=20present=20at=20the=20time=20of=20=
review.
=20The=20following=20chart=20highlights=20the=20most=20common=20number=20of=
=20
physical
=20barriers=20discovered=20at=20each=20location.
=20A=20majority=20of=20the=20locations=20reviewed=20had=20only=20one=20phys=
ical
=20barrier=20present.=20=20While=20the=20largest=20and=20most=20frequent=20=
problem=20
was
=20related=20to=20parking,=20the=20types
=20of=20barriers=20at=20each=20location=20varied=20as=20shown=20in=20the=20=
following
=20chart.
=20Text=20Box:=20Parking=20Signs:=20locations=20that=20had=20accessible=20p=
arking
=20but=20no=20signs=20posted=20=20Parking:=20=20locations=20that=20had=20no=
=20parking
=20designated=20or=20noncompliant=20access
=20aisles=20=20Pathway:=20=20barriers=20that=20existed=20between=20access=20=
aisles=20
and
=20entryway=20=20Entrance:=20=20problems=20such=20as=20door=20width,=20door=
=20thresholds,=20door=20hardware,=20vestibules,
=20etc.=20=20Ramps/Curbs:=20problems=20with=20curb=20cuts,=20ramps,=20handr=
ails,
=20thresholds=20greater=20than=201=20inch,=20etc.
=20Communicating=20Accessibility=20Problems=20with=20Election=20Officials
=20After=20completing=20the=20on-site=20reviews,=20MPAS=20notified=20munici=
pal
=20clerks=20of=20locations=20where=20barriers=20were=20discovered.=20=20Wit=
hin=20a
=20four-month=20period,=20over=20440
=20letters=20were=20sent=20to=20election=20officials.=20=20By=20the=20end=20=
of=202010,=20
88%
=20of=20those=20clerks=20responded=20back=20to=20MPAS=20with=20a=20plan=20o=
f=20
correction.
=20In=20addition,=20MPAS
=20provided=20technical=20assistance=20to=20the=20election=20officials=20on=
=20how=20
to
=20improve=20access=20to=20their=20polling=20location=20in=20order=20to=20c=
ome=20into
=20compliance.=20=20=20Based=20on
=20the=20responses=20received=20from=20clerks,=2043%=20informed=20us=20they=
=20were
=20would=20make=20the=20changes=20required;=2031%=20corrected=20the=20barri=
ers=20at
=20the=20polling=20locations;=209%
=20were=20going=20to=20apply=20for=20Access=20for=20All=20grant;=20and=20th=
e=20remaining
=20responses=20varied=20from=20clerk=20using=20temporary=20equipment.
=20When=20a=20clerk=20informed=20MAPS=20that=20the=20work=20was=20completed=
,=20MPAS
=20required=20documentation=20from=20each=20clerk=20proving=20or=20stating=
=20that
=20the=20work=20had=20been=20completed,
=20including=20photographs=20and/or=20copies=20of=20purchase=20orders.=20=20=
A
=20majority=20of=20the=20clerks=20responded=20either=20with=20a=20plan=20of=
=20
correction
=20for=20spring=202011=20or=20with=20a
=20statement=20that=20the=20work=20was=20completed.=20=20MPAS=20is=20still=
=20waiting=20
for
=20some=20clerks=20to=20confirm=20that=20the=20work=20was=20done=20sufficie=
ntly.=20=20
Once
=20the=20removal=20of=20barriers
=20at=20these=20locations=20has=20been=20verified,=20MPAS=20expects=20Michi=
gan=92s
=20polling=20place=20accessibility=20rate=20to=20rise=20to=20nearly=2090=20=
%=20=AD=AD--
=20one=20of=20the=20highest=20in=20the=20nation.
=20There=20remains,=20however,=20substantial=20work=20to=20be=20completed=20=
in=20the
=20city=20of=20Detroit=20in=20order=20to=20reach=20this=20goal.=20=20The=20=
remaining=2012%
=20of=20clerks,=20who=20did=20not=20respond
=20to=20MPAS=20or=20the=20Bureau=20of=20Election=20with=20a=20plan=20of=20c=
orrection,=20
will
=20become=20a=202011=20priority=20in=20order=20to=20attain=20100%=20accessi=
bility.
=20NEXT=20STEPS
=20While=20the=20focus=20of=20this=20report=20has=20been=20on=20reaching=20=
the=2090%
=20accessibility=20rate,=20there=20would=20still=20be=20approximately=2010%=
=20of
=20polling=20locations=20in=20Michigan
=20that=20are=20not=20accessible=20to=20all=20voters.=20=20Some=20clerks=20=
disagree=20
with
=20the=20findings=20and=20MPAS=20is=20working=20with=20those=20clerks.
=20In=202011,=20MPAS=20will=20be=20re-visiting=20a=20number=20of=20polling=
=20locations
=20that=20are=20still=20recorded=20as=20being=20inaccessible,=20breaking=20=
them=20
into
=20three=20categories:=20failure
=20to=20communicate;=20work=20promised=20but=20documentation=20still=20need=
ed;=20
and
=20locations=20requiring=20review=20by=20MPAS.
=20MPAS=20will=20focus=20attention=20on=20election=20officials=20who=20have=
=20failed
=20to=20respond=20to=20MPAS=20communication=20attempts.=20=20This=20may=20i=
nvolve
=20revisiting=20the=20location=20(some
=20clerks=20correct=20the=20problem=20even=20when=20they=20fail=20to=20resp=
ond),
=20attending=20city=20council/township=20meetings,=20filing=20official=20HA=
VA
=20complaints,=20and/or=20pursuing
=20legal=20action=20under=20different=20funding=20sources.=20=20MPAS=92=20g=
oal=20has
=20always=20been=20to=20educate=20clerks=20and=20assist=20them=20with=20imp=
roving
=20access=20first=20by=20proposing=20solutions
=20to=20removing=20barriers.
=20In=202011,=20MPAS=20will=20also=20direct=20its=20attention=20to=20monito=
ring=20the
=20correction=20plans=20that=20election=20officials=20have=20submitted=20to=
=20
ensure
=20that=20barriers=20are=20removed.
=20=20MPAS=20will=20review=20the=20remaining=20150=20polling=20locations=20=
that=20have
=20not=20been=20visited=20yet.
=20In=20Summary
=20Throughout=20the=202010=20project,=20the=20partnership=20between=20MPAS=
=20and=20
the
=20Michigan=20Bureau=20of=20Elections=20(BOE)=20was=20crucial.=20=20The=20s=
tate
=20reinforced=20the=20necessity=20of
=20accessible=20elections.=20=20They=20followed=20up=20with=20each=20munici=
pality
=20whose=20polling=20place=20was=20noted=20as=20being=20inaccessible=20in=20=
order=20to
=20determine=20the=20jurisdiction's
=20planned=20course=20of=20action.=20=20In=20addition,=20the=20BOE=20coordi=
nated=20and
=20extended=20Michigan's=20polling=20place=20improvement=20grant=20well=20i=
nto=20
the
=20fall=20to=20assist=20municipalities
=20in=20removing=20barriers=20to=20voting=20at=20no=20cost.
=20Local=20election=20officials=20can=20either=20upgrade=20their=20polling=
=20places
=20(with=20or=20without=20grant=20funds),=20or=20relocate=20the=20polling=20=
place=20to
=20an=20accessible=20site.=20=20The
=20Bureau=20of=20Elections=20reports=20that=20due=20to=20the=202010=20proje=
ct,=20they
=20have=20seen=20a=20large=20increase=20in=20the=20number=20of=20municipali=
ties
=20applying=20for=20grant=20money.=20=20In
=20an=20effort=20to=20assist=20with=20the=20project,=20the=20BOE=20extended=
=20the
=20typical=20grant=20cycle=20by=20two=20months,=20giving=20clerks=20additio=
nal
=20opportunity=20to=20respond=20to=20MPAS=92
=20letter=20and=20correct=20the=20problem(s)=20by=20using=20grant=20funds.=
=20=20The
=20Michigan=20Bureau=20of=20Elections=20received=2074=20grant=20application=
s,=20the
=20largest=20amount=20ever=20received
=20in=20one=20grant=20cycle.=20=20Of=20those=2074=20grant=20applications,=20=
66
=20applicants=20received=20letters=20from=20MPAS=20seeking=20a=20plan=20of
=20correction=20-=2089%=20of=20those=20who=20applied.
=20=20A=20large=20number=20of=20municipalities=20have=20pledged=20to=20appl=
y=20when=20the
=20next=20grant=20period=20opens=20in=20early=202011.
=20If=20the=20HAVA/PAVA=20program=20survives=20the=20President=92s=20propos=
ed=20
budget
=20cuts,=20MPAS=20looks=20forward=20to=20continuing=20the=20partnership=20w=
ith=20the
=20Secretary=20of=20State,=20ensuring
=20all=20elections=20are=20accessible=20to=20all=20voters.=20=20Additionall=
y,=20MPAS
=20encourages=20clerks=20to=20reach=20out=20to=20local=20disability=20group=
s=20for
=20future=20trainings.=20=20Listed
=20below=20are=20additional=20recommendations=20moving=20forward.
=20Summary/Recommendations:
=20=A8=20=20=20=20=20=20Local=20clerks=20must=20be=20required=20to=20notify=
=20the=20Bureau=20of
=20Elections=20prior=20to=20relocating=20polling=20places.
=20=A8=20=20=20=20=20=20Accessibility=20checks=20should=20be=20completed=20=
when=20clerks
=20change=20polling=20locations,=20to=20verify=20accessibility.=20=20Report=
s=20
(with
=20photographs)=20should=20be=20submitted
=20to=20the=20Bureau=20of=20Elections.
=20=A8=20=20=20=20=20=20New=20polling=20locations=20must=20be=20required=20=
to=20adhere=20to=20the
=20Americans=20with=20Disabilities=20Act=20Accessibility=20Guidelines.
=20=A8=20=20=20=20=20=20The=20advisory=20committee=20in=20charge=20of=20ame=
nding=20the=20State
=20Plan=20(under=20HAVA)=20should=20re-convene=20and=20identify=20ways=20to=
=20hold
=20clerks=20accountable=20and=20implement
=20model=20oversight=20programs.
=20=A8=20=20=20=20=20=20Access=20for=20All=20grant=20money=20should=20be=20=
available=20
throughout
=20the=20year,=20so=20accessibility=20problems=20can=20be=20addressed=20any=
time=20
they
=20arise.
=20=A8=20=20=20=20=20=20The=20Bureau=20of=20Elections=20and=20local=20clerk=
s=20should=20continue
=20working=20with=20disability=20advocacy=20organizations=20to=20complete
=20year-round=20polling=20place=20accessibility
=20audits=20and=20training=20to=20clerks.
=20Accessibility=20Rate=20by=20County
=20Table=20with=209=20columns=20and=2085=20rows
=20County
=20Polling=20Locations
=20Visited
=20Accessible
=20Barriers=20Discovered
=20Percent=20Visited
=20%=20Accessible=20of=20those=20Visited
=20Now=20Complete
=20%=20Now=20Accessible
=20Alcona
=2012
=2012
=208
=204
=20100%
=2067%
=203
=2092%
=20Alger
=2010
=2010
=205
=205
=20100%
=2050%
=205
=20100%
=20Allegan
=2037
=2037
=2035
=202
=20100%
=2095%
=201
=2097%
=20Alpena
=2015
=2015
=208
=207
=20100%
=2053%
=201
=2060%
=20Antrim
=2015
=2015
=209
=206
=20100%
=2060%
=202
=2073%
=20Arenac
=2014
=2014
=2010
=204
=20100%
=2071%
=203
=2093%
=20Baraga
=208
=206
=201
=205
=2075%
=2017%
=201
=2033%
=20Barry
=2023
=2023
=2018
=205
=20100%
=2078%
=201
=2083%
=20Bay
=2049
=2048
=2036
=2012
=2098%
=2075%
=201
=2077%
=20Benzie
=2013
=2013
=206
=207
=20100%
=2046%
=204
=2077%
=20Berrien
=2057
=2057
=2043
=2014
=20100%
=2075%
=208
=2089%
=20Branch
=2018
=2017
=209
=208
=2094%
=2053%
=206
=2088%
=20Calhoun
=2046
=2043
=2034
=209
=2093%
=2079%
=203
=2086%
=20Cass
=2019
=2019
=2012
=207
=20100%
=2063%
=206
=2095%
=20Charlevoix
=2018
=2016
=2010
=206
=2089%
=2063%
=201
=2069%
=20Cheboygan
=2020
=2020
=2014
=206
=20100%
=2070%
=205
=2095%
=20Chippewa
=2019
=2018
=2013
=205
=2095%
=2072%
=204
=2094%
=20Clare
=2019
=2016
=2013
=203
=2084%
=2081%
=202
=2094%
=20Clinton
=2028
=2026
=2024
=202
=2093%
=2092%
=201
=2096%
=20Crawford
=207
=207
=206
=201
=20100%
=2086%
=200
=2086%
=20Delta
=2021
=2020
=2011
=209
=2095%
=2055%
=201
=2060%
=20Dickinson
=2015
=2015
=206
=209
=20100%
=2040%
=205
=2073%
=20Eaton
=2036
=2036
=2028
=208
=20100%
=2078%
=202
=2083%
=20Emmet
=2019
=2019
=2012
=207
=20100%
=2063%
=205
=2089%
=20Genesee
=20119
=20109
=2084
=2025
=2092%
=2077%
=202
=2079%
=20Gladwin
=2017
=2017
=2011
=206
=20100%
=2065%
=201
=2071%
=20Gogebic
=2010
=2010
=207
=203
=20100%
=2070%
=202
=2090%
=20Grand=20Traverse
=2028
=2027
=2027
=200
=2096%
=20100%
=200
=20100%
=20Gratiot
=2023
=2023
=2016
=207
=20100%
=2070%
=202
=2078%
=20Hillsdale
=2021
=2021
=2012
=209
=20100%
=2057%
=203
=2071%
=20Houghton
=2031
=2022
=209
=2013
=2071%
=2041%
=205
=2064%
=20Huron
=2030
=2029
=2018
=2011
=2097%
=2062%
=205
=2079%
=20Ingham
=2095
=2081
=2078
=203
=2085%
=2096%
=200
=2096%
=20Ionia
=2022
=2022
=2017
=205
=20100%
=2077%
=201
=2082%
=20Iosco
=2015
=2015
=2014
=201
=20100%
=2093%
=201
=20100%
=20Iron
=2012
=2012
=206
=206
=20100%
=2050%
=202
=2067%
=20Isabella
=2025
=2025
=2019
=206
=20100%
=2076%
=201
=2080%
=20Jackson
=2047
=2045
=2034
=2011
=2096%
=2076%
=202
=2080%
=20Kalamazoo
=2097
=2097
=2079
=2018
=20100%
=2081%
=207
=2089%
=20Kalkaska
=2012
=2012
=208
=204
=20100%
=2067%
=201
=2075%
=20Kent
=20209
=20207
=20174
=2033
=2099%
=2084%
=2011
=2089%
=20Keweenaw
=205
=204
=204
=200
=2080%
=20100%
=200
=20100%
=20Lake
=2015
=2015
=208
=207
=20100%
=2053%
=202
=2067%
=20Lapeer
=2024
=2024
=2020
=204
=20100%
=2083%
=202
=2092%
=20Leelanau
=2013
=2013
=208
=205
=20100%
=2062%
=201
=2069%
=20Lenawee
=2030
=2030
=2023
=207
=20100%
=2077%
=204
=2090%
=20Livingston
=2048
=2045
=2035
=2010
=2094%
=2078%
=200
=2078%
=20Luce
=204
=204
=203
=201
=20100%
=2075%
=200
=2075%
=20Mackinac
=2013
=2010
=205
=205
=2077%
=2050%
=201
=2060%
=20Macomb
=20235
=20233
=20188
=2045
=2099%
=2081%
=2017
=2088%
=20Manistee
=2015
=2015
=2011
=204
=20100%
=2073%
=203
=2093%
=20Marquette
=2029
=2029
=2016
=2013
=20100%
=2055%
=201
=2059%
=20Mason
=2023
=2023
=2015
=208
=20100%
=2065%
=203
=2078%
=20Mecosta
=2022
=2022
=2018
=204
=20100%
=2082%
=201
=2086%
=20Menominee
=2016
=2014
=208
=206
=2088%
=2057%
=200
=2057%
=20Midland
=2038
=2029
=2022
=207
=2076%
=2076%
=204
=2090%
=20Missaukee
=2017
=2017
=2014
=203
=20100%
=2082%
=203
=20100%
=20Monroe
=2042
=2036
=2027
=209
=2086%
=2075%
=205
=2089%
=20Montcalm
=2026
=2025
=2021
=204
=2096%
=2084%
=202
=2092%
=20Montmorency
=209
=209
=207
=202
=20100%
=2078%
=201
=2089%
=20Muskegon
=2072
=2071
=2068
=203
=2099%
=2096%
=202
=2099%
=20Newaygo
=2028
=2028
=2022
=206
=20100%
=2079%
=203
=2089%
=20Oakland
=20410
=20380
=20292
=2088
=2093%
=2077%
=2046
=2089%
=20Oceana
=2018
=2018
=2012
=206
=20100%
=2067%
=200
=2067%
=20Ogemaw
=2016
=2016
=2010
=206
=20100%
=2063%
=205
=2094%
=20Ontonagon
=2014
=2010
=203
=207
=2071%
=2030%
=200
=2030%
=20Osceola
=2018
=2018
=2014
=204
=20100%
=2078%
=202
=2089%
=20Oscoda
=206
=206
=204
=202
=20100%
=2067%
=201
=2083%
=20Otsego
=2010
=2010
=207
=203
=20100%
=2070%
=202
=2090%
=20Ottawa
=2088
=2088
=2079
=209
=20100%
=2090%
=205
=2095%
=20Presque=20Isle
=2016
=2016
=2010
=206
=20100%
=2063%
=203
=2081%
=20Roscommon
=2011
=2011
=2011
=200
=20100%
=20100%
=200
=20100%
=20Saginaw
=2075
=2075
=2061
=2014
=20100%
=2081%
=208
=2092%
=20Sanilac
=2030
=2030
=2026
=204
=20100%
=2087%
=203
=2097%
=20Schoolcraft
=2010
=2010
=206
=204
=20100%
=2060%
=202
=2080%
=20Shiawassee
=2027
=2027
=2017
=2010
=20100%
=2063%
=203
=2074%
=20St.=20=20Clair
=2052
=2048
=2044
=204
=2092%
=2092%
=203
=2098%
=20St.=20=20Joseph
=2017
=2017
=2012
=205
=20100%
=2071%
=202
=2082%
=20Tuscola
=2025
=2024
=2016
=208
=2096%
=2067%
=202
=2075%
=20Van=20Buren
=2023
=2022
=2019
=203
=2096%
=2086%
=201
=2091%
=20Washtenaw
=20106
=20100
=2070
=2030
=2094%
=2070%
=200
=2070%
=20Wayne
=20568
=20519
=20325
=20194
=2091%
=2063%
=2028
=2068%
=20Wexford
=2020
=2020
=2014
=206
=20100%
=2070%
=201
=2075%
=20Total
=203635
=203457
=202579
=20878
=2095.10%
=2074.60%
=20289
=2083%
=20table=20end
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