Polling Places Must Be Accessible to Disabled Voters

Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz says Connecticut polling places must be accessible on Primary Day, Tuesday, September 10 to persons with disabilities. "The ability to shape tomorrow through voting is the foundation of our democracy," said Bysiewicz. "Everybody who comes out to vote must have an equal opportunity to participate, and that includes having polling places accessible to all eligible voters."

Large print voting machine instructions must be posted in a conspicuous location and people who are totally blind are entitled to reader services at the polls. In addition, any voter who requires assistance because of blindness, disability, or inability to read may be accompanied in the voting booth by a person of their choice, other than an employer or an officer or agent for the voter’s labor union.

Republicans and Democrats each have a number of primaries throughout the state this year. A list of primaries filed with the Office of Secretary of the State is available from the office and posted on the agency’s website, <www.sots.state.ct.us>.

Citizens who are deaf, hearing-impaired or speech-impaired may obtain information about voting from the Secretary of the State’s Office by calling the TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) number at 860-509-6191, or 800-303-3161.

Registered voters who cannot vote in person due to physical disability may vote by absentee ballot. Applications for absentee ballots may be obtained from the office of the municipal clerk, either in person or by mail through September 9. Completed absentee ballots must be returned to the municipal clerk’s office by 8 p.m. on Primary Day, September 10.

For more info about voting aids and assistance available to elderly, handicapped, disabled and illiterate voters, contact your registrar of voters, municipal clerk or the elections division of the Secretary of the State’s Office at 860-509-6100, or 800-540-3764.