Access Board News
New Election Commission Holds First Public Meeting
In addition to the ADA, the Help America Vote Act of 2002 also addresses access to polling places. Under the law, every precinct in the country must have at least one voting machine or system used in Federal elections that is accessible to persons with disabilities, including those with vision impairments, by January 1, 2006. Access is required so that persons with disabilities have the same opportunity for participation, including privacy and independence, afforded other voters. The act also establishes requirements that will allow voters to verify and correct their selections before casting a ballot and that will remove language barriers.
The law establishes an independent entity, the Election Assistance Commission, to implement these and other reforms. The new Commission, which held its first meeting on March 23, will oversee the development of standards for voting systems which are to include provisions for accessibility. The Commission will also be responsible for testing and certifying voting equipment, conducting studies on voting system improvements, and administering various grant programs funded by the law. The standards are to be developed through several advisory bodies, including a Board of Advisors and a Technical Guidelines Development Committee. The Access Board, which has been named to both the advisory board and the guidelines committee, will be represented by public Board members James Elekes and James "J.R." Harding.
At its recent meeting, the Commission received reports on the status of these entities and the work completed to date on new voting system standards. The commissioners also discussed publication of state plans for complying with the act in the Federal Register the following day and a timetable for distributing grant monies to states. The Commission intends to hold a hearing on electronic voting within 45 days and will complete its organization and relocation and set up a website in coming months. For further information, contact the Election Assistance Commission at (202) 694-1095.
(Source: Access Currents, Volume 10, No. 2, March/April 2004.)
