Polling Places Must Be Accessible To Disabled Voters

HARTFORD — Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz said Connecticut polling places must be accessible on Election Day, Tuesday, November 7, to persons with disabilities.

“Everybody who comes out to vote in Connecticut will have an equal opportunity to participate,” said Commissioner Bysiewicz. “The ability to shape tomorrow through voting is the foundation of our democracy and that includes having polling places accessible for every eligible voter.”

Large print voting machine instructions will be posted in a conspicuous location and people who are totally blind are entitled to reader services at the polls. In addition, any voter who requires assistance because of blindness, disability, or inability to read may be accompanied in the voting booth by anyone of their choice, other than an employer or an officer or agent for the voter’s labor union.

Citizens who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or speech-impaired may obtain information about voting from the Secretary of the State’s Office by calling the TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) number, 860/509-6191, or toll free TDD at 800/303-3161.

Registered voters who cannot vote in person due to physical disability may vote by absentee ballot. Applications for absentee ballots may be obtained from the office of the town clerk, either in person or by mail, through November 6. Completed absentee ballots must be returned to the town clerk’s office by 8 pm on Election Day, November 7.

A list of candidates filed with the Office of Secretary of the State is available from the office and posted on the agency’s Web site at www.sots.state.ct.us.

For further information about voting aids and assistance available to elderly, handicapped, disabled, and illiterate voters, contact your registrar of voters or town clerk at your local town hall, or the elections division of the Secretary of the State’s Office at 860/509-6100 or toll-free at 800/540-3764.