Persons with Disabilities

Working to ensure equal access for all voters!

The Worcester Election Office is committed to:

• Surveying every polling place to ensure they are accessible by meeting state and federal regulations.
• Working with and helping train Election Day poll workers on sensitivity to all voters as well as the proper procedures and testing to ensure the polling location is accessible and the accessible voting equipment is made available to all voters.
• Working with local organizations to ensure voters are familiar with the accessible voting equipment and availability of such equipment at every polling location.

Voting Procedures

A voter can choose someone to assist entering the polling location, checking in, entering the voting booth, preparing the ballot, exiting the booth and checking out. Voting via mail-in absentee ballot at home is another option used by elderly and disabled voters. For more information regarding absentee voting, contact out office at 508-799-1134.

Polling Places

All polling locations in Worcester are required to be accessible. Voting assistance and absentee voting offer options that persons with disabilities may use to vote, but are not considered substitutes of actual accessibility to the voting location. Accessible voting provides the same opportunity for access and participation to persons with disabilities as for other voters.

Where Do I Vote?

Voting Equipment

Both federal law and state requirements mandate that voting systems be equipped for voters with disabilities allowing such voters to have the same opportunity to vote privately and independently. It is required that every precinct must have at least one accessible voting machine available.

There is at least one accessible marking unit in every polling place in Worcester. The AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminals are marking devices that use audio cue capacity for visually impaired voters. The AutoMark also has a feature that will greatly magnify the ballot or display the ballot high-contrast for voters that have limited visual impairment. The AutoMark can also produce an oral report to the voter as the choices selected prior to the voter printing the ballot.

• Help America Vote Act
• How to Use the AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminal

Accessible Voting By Mail

The Accessible Vote by Mail system allows you to receive, complete and return your ballot electronically using a secure web portal if you are unable to mark a paper ballot because of a disability.

You may also choose to print your completed ballot and return it by mail, secure ballot drop box or in person to your local election office or early voting location.

The Accessible Vote by Mail system is available only to voters who are blind or have vision impairments, mobility/dexterity disabilities or other disabilities that make it difficult or impossible to effectively access a paper Vote by Mail ballot, because of inability to independently read, write, hold or physically manipulate standard print materials.

If you are eligible and wish to use the Accessible Vote by Mail system, you must apply with the Worcester Election Office by emailing votebymail@worcesterma.gov.

Accessible Vote by Mail Application

Use the Accessible Vote by Mail Application to apply for your ballot. You must provide the following information on the application before submitting it to your local election official:

1. Voter Information - Provide your name, the address where you are registered to vote, date of birth and email address.
2. Ballot Information - Choose which ballot(s) you want to receive by mail. If you're requesting a primary ballot and you're not registered in a party, you must pick a primary ballot. Provide your ballot mailing address if you want to return your ballot by mail, drop box or in person.
3. Accommodations - Check the appropriate boxes to request an accommodation.
4. Assistance - If you're helping someone complete the application, or you're requesting a ballot for a family member, fill out this section.

In order to provide you with access to the electronic ballot, your local election official will need you to provide your email address. The Worcester Election office will send access information for your ballot to the email address you provide on your application.

You must include a signature on the application, which may be handwritten or hand-drawn using a mouse or stylus. If you cannot independently insert a hand-drawn signature, you may type your name in the signature line.

Contact us if we can help

The Worcester Elections office is committed to making voting accessible for all voters. Please let us know how we can improve accessibility by calling us at 508-799-1134. You may also e-mail us at elections@worcesterma.gov.