The Guam Legal Services Corporation-Disability Law Center has a vested interest in accessible voting. Our office works to ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to polls and cast private and independent ballots. The right to vote is an important issue for all citizens because it is our way of guaranteeing that the government hears our voices and provides for the needs of all individuals. This was the movement behind the American with Disabilities Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendment Act, and the Help America Vote Act.
There are different aspects to this voting right.
First of all, the polling places themselves need to be completely accessible: there must be adequate accessible parking; all obstructions when walking or using a wheelchair to get to the polling place should be removed; rampways need to be properly configured; door steps need to be reduced to a size that a wheelchair or motorized scooter can maneuver over; and doors should be equipped with handles instead of rounded knobs.
No one should park in accessible parking stalls, even if they will be out quickly.
In some cases, these stalls can be used for voters who have to remain in a motor vehicle while a friend or family member goes inside and gets precinct officials to bring the appropriate forms out to the voter.
Full Article: Center ensures accessible voting: Voters with disabilities are encouraged to vote | Pacific Daily News | guampdn.com.