LAist: You Must Be Able to Walk the Stairs to Rock the Vote

tequilaanddonuts

Sat, 09 Feb 2008 22:47:33 -0800

magheramenagh, there's a sign that they post at my polling place that states that you can not take photos. I don't know if that's a law or just their suggestion. I'm surprised that it's legal to have a middle school that doesn't have equal access for students.

Oren

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:59:41 -0800

As a pollworker, I am dismayed by this episode. All polling places are given a disabled voting kit that includes a clipboard and all the materials needed to bring the ballot out to a disabled voter or anyone who can't get out of their car. This situation was likely covered in the pollworkers' training. The one thing I can say is: if you're a competent person, please consider working as an election clerk on election day. You get paid, and you get to help voters vote. http://www.lavote.net/voter/pollworker/

cmgrowl

Thu, 07 Feb 2008 09:06:40 -0800

Amazing. That is just asking for a lawsuit. Lawyers love to sue under the Americans with Disabilities Act and I think that applies. Found this: Three federal laws are of special importance to disabled and elderly voters - they are: THE VOTING RIGHTS ACT OF 1965 - Any voter requiring assistance may receive it from a person of the voter's choice, other than the voter's employer or agent of that employer or officer or agent of the voter's union. THE VOTING ACCESSIBILITY FOR THE ELDERLY AND HANDICAPPED ACT OF 1984 - Promotes the fundamental right to vote by requiring "access for elderly and handicapped individuals to registration facilities and polling places in federal elections". THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT OF 1990 (ADA) - Requires public entities to provide auxiliary aids and services where necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy, the benefits of service, program, or activity conducted by a public entity.

_wskrz_

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:35:10 -0800

That's pathetic. If they've worked at that place for 12 years and have always had that problem, then why haven't they done something about it? Like move to a place that's more ADA compliant? What would happen if the weather were crap - would that woman have had to still vote outside?! How the hell can a school be inaccessible?! Ridiculous. No wonder voter turnout sucks in this country. Especially when the voting process seems to work against allowing you to exercise your right to vote.

magheramenagh

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 18:08:03 -0800

I'm curious about your postscript, and I've don't some googling without any clear answer...is it illegal to take photos inside a polling place? Can you take a photo of your ballot, if you wish? Just curious. I would have loved to have seen photos of the players involved in this too.

jsnark

Tue, 05 Feb 2008 17:34:25 -0800

How will the meek inherit the earth if they can't get up the stairs to vote?