FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Kristin Dulaney, 317-419-7595, kdulaney@indianadisabilityrights.org
NEW ACCESSIBLE ABSENTEE VOTING OPTION ROLLING OUT THIS ELECTION FOR VOTERS WITH PRINT DISABILITIES
April 10, 2023—Indianapolis, IN—Indiana Disability Rights (IDR) encourages voters who are blind or have other print disabilities who want to vote absentee to use the new accessible, electronic absentee ballot tool in the primary election. Eligible voters can use the tool to independently mark their ballot, complete and sign other necessary documentation, and email these materials to county election officials.
“Every voter has the right to cast their ballot privately and independently,” said Tom Crishon, IDR’s Legal Director. “The new remote accessible ballot marking tool allows voters with print disabilities to do just that – use their own assistive technology to cast their ballot on their own. IDR looks forward to the success of the new tool and encourages all eligible voters with print disabilities to try it in the upcoming primary election.”
The tool, developed by Democracy Live, is available in all counties this year due to a recent settlement agreement with the Indiana Election Commission, Election Division, and Secretary of State. IDR and Disability Rights Advocates represented the plaintiffs, which included members of the American Council of the Blind’s Indiana Chapter (ACB-I). Prior to the settlement, plaintiffs who wanted to vote absentee at home had to vote with the assistance of a “traveling board” of elections officials that the Honorable Jane Magnus-Stinson last year determined “significantly interfere[d] with a blind or print disabled person's ability to vote privately and independently.”
If voters wish to try the new tool before committing to use in this election, they can practice with an online demonstration ballot. Practice users should input, “Sample” for first name, “Voter” for last name, “1/1/1999” for date of birth, and “Adams” for county.
“I practiced through the demonstration ballot and feel confident it will allow me to vote in the primary election privately and independently,” shared Dee Ann Hart, a Director of the ACB-I Board. She continued, “Local elections have a big impact on our lives. I encourage my fellow blind and print disabled voters to practice with the new system and give it try for the upcoming election.”
To vote via this new option, voters must apply for an absentee ballot no later than Thursday, April 20, 2023. The absentee application can be accessed by logging into the Indiana Voter Portal and selecting “Voter With Print Disabilities.” Alternatively, voters with a print disability can complete and submit a PDF version of the absentee application. Once a completed application is received, the voter’s county clerk’s office will send the voter a link to complete and return their ballot by 6 p.m. local time on Election Day, May 2, 2023.
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Indiana Disability Rights (IDR) is the designated Protection and Advocacy System and Client Assistance Program for the State of Indiana. IDR’s mission is to uphold, promote, and advance the rights of individuals with disabilities through empowerment and advocacy to achieve a more equitable society. For more information, visit www.IndianaDisabilityRights.org.