Resources - Voting information and your rights
Voting is your right!
Information for voters with Disabilities in Kent County
Voting in person. Did you know you have the right to have assistance with voting at your polling place? Registered voters in Michigan can vote in person at your polling place or by mail with an absentee ballot.
What to expect inside your polling place
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You have the right to vote independently using an accessible voting machine. If you would like to use an accessible voting machine, tell an election official when you arrive to vote.
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You have the right to assistance from the election officials. You can ask the election officials for instructions on how to use the voting equipment or assistance at any time, even after you’ve entered the voting booth.
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If you are blind, disabled, or unable to read or write, you have the right to assistance from anyone you choose. However, the person cannot be:
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Your employer
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An agent of your employer
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An officer or agent of your labor union
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When a voter with a disability arrives at their polling place the election inspectors must be advised that assistance is needed. The election inspectors, one from each opposing political party, is required to ask the voter if the person providing the assistance represents the voters employer or labor union.
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If the answer to this question is “no,” the voter may be assisted by the person.
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If the answer is “yes,” they may receive assistance from two election inspectors of differing political party affiliations.
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Inside your precinct's polling place. You should find:
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Adequate lighting and seating
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At least 1 voting station that can accommodate a person who is seated
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Access to a Voter Assist Terminal.
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All voters, including voters with disabilities, have access to a Voter Assist Terminal (VAT) in all polling places. The Voter Assist Terminal helps the voter mark a ballot. It will mark the ballot with the voter's choices but does not tally the votes. Once the ballot is marked, it is counted in exactly the same fashion as all other ballots.
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Here is a video about using a ImageCast-X (ICX) Voter Assist Terminal to cast your vote in Michigan.
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The Michigan Secretary of State (MDOS) recently issued an update for the Dominion Voter Assist Terminals.
MDOS has been working with disability advocates, including Disability Rights Michigan, to educate voters.
We want to assure you that we're aware of this issue and the impact on voters in Michigan.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to ensure all voting in Michigan is accessible.
We’ll keep you updated with any further developments.
MDOS Statement: https://www.michigan.gov/sos/resources/news/2024/10/25/department-of-state-issues-update-for-voters-using-dominion-voter-assist-terminals
Due to a recent programming update to Dominion Voter Assist Terminals (VATs), voters who use these VATs to mark their ballot cannot successfully select a party on the Straight Party Ticket page and select candidates of a different party in individual partisan races.
Unfortunately, this programming issue cannot be fixed before the November 5 General Election. Fortunately, when the voter attempts to select a candidate from a different party than the party they selected on the Straight Party Ticket page, the VAT will warn the voter that they cannot do so since they selected a party on the Straight Party Ticket page. The voter will then have the opportunity to go back and deselect the choice on the Straight Party Ticket page and to vote for candidates in individual races, before they print their ballot. This does NOT stop you from casting your vote, it just may take longer.
The software update does not affect the Dominion tabulator, just the Dominion voter assist terminal.
If you are a voter who plans to utilize the Dominion VAT, you can still vote straight ticket or choose individual candidates from any party for each race. We always recommend voters review their ballot BEFORE printing.
If you need to report a problem at your early voting site or polling place related to this issue, please call (866) OUR-VOTE | (866) 687-8683.
Voting by absentee ballot
Voters with print disabilities may apply for an accessible electronic absent voter ballot that can be completed electronically, printed, and returned to the local clerk.
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Registering to Vote within 14 Days of Election, click here
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To apply online for an accessible electronic absent voter ballot, complete this form. If it is within 14 days of the election please contact your local clerk.
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Voters may also sign up for the permanent accessible ballot list. Voters whose names are on the permanent accessible absent ballot list will automatically receive an accessible absentee ballot from their local clerk in each future election for which they are eligible.
Additional help and information
At the State of Michigan Voter Information Center you may:
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Check your voter registration
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Find your polling place
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Track your absentee ballot
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Subscribe to ballot notifications
If you have questions or need help please contact your local clerk.
The State of Michigan has an Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections. The Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections responds to and assists individuals with disabilities who are attempting to vote. To communicate with the Ombudsperson for Accessible Elections, you can call (517) 335-2730 or email ADAVoting@michigan.gov