With early voting for the 2024 general election underway, the Connecticut Secretary of the State’s office is emphasizing the measures providing ballot access to all voters regardless of their physical ability.
“Voting assistance is available to voters,” states a press release from the Secretary of the State’s Office, noting that accommodations will be present at all early voting locations in Connecticut.
Upon arrival at their polling location, voters with impairments will have the option to cast their ballots via the virtual Integrated Voting System (IVS), which offers three separate methods to select preferred candidates.
According to the Secretary of the State’s office, “Choices can be made audibly, on a touchscreen display or by sip and puff device, rather than by pen and paper.”
Voters with disabilities may also be accompanied by an aide for assistance in reading and marking a traditional paper ballot, with exception to candidates actively in the race and representatives of the voter’s union or place of employment.
Upon informing the poll moderator, individuals who cannot stand in line may either be granted voting priority or have their place in line saved while sitting down. Those unable to exit their vehicles may complete their ballot curbside at the polling station.
“Citizens who cannot leave their place of residence may request an absentee ballot from their respective Town Clerk’s Office online or in the mail before the end of the day on Nov. 4,” notes the Secretary of the State’s Office. Election officials encourage voters to apply as early as possible to ensure their ballot is processed.
Within the state of Connecticut, certain polling locations will offer live non-English language and American Sign Language translation services via web conferencing software. Voters requiring a translator may reach out to their municipality’s Registrar of Voters for details regarding this service.
For students at the University of Connecticut’s Storrs campus, neither the UConn Bookstore nor the Mansfield Town Hall polling locations will offer translation services. Despite lacking this provision, local officials nonetheless assure voters that disability accommodations will be available.
“Early voting locations are wheelchair accessible. We also have assisted voting machines for other physical impairments,” said Mansfield’s Democratic Registrar of Voters Anne Greineder.
Greineder additionally reminded UConn students of the documents they will be asked to present to complete the process of Same Day Registration, including a valid form of government issued ID and a document proving residence in the town of Mansfield, such as mail including an address. Same Day Registration is offered at all early voting locations in Connecticut, including both the UConn Bookstore and Mansfield Town Hall poll locations.