Accessible Options for Voting

The City Clerk’s Office want to make sure voters know about accessible options for the August 13 Partisan Primary.

“In August and in November it’s important for all residents to feel confident that their voices are heard at the polls,” said Mayor Rhodes-Conway. “Our Clerk’s staff and volunteers work diligently with voters with disabilities to make casting their ballot as easy as possible.”

All polling places must be accessible. Poll workers use an accessibility checklist to identify and address barriers on election morning. The City of Madison process for opening the polls includes a poll worker review of accessibility procedures.

Curbside Voting
You may vote curbside if unable to enter the polls due to health, mobility issues, or a disability. Have someone tell poll workers that you are a curbside voter or call the Clerk’s Office at (608) 266-4601.

Two poll workers will bring your ballot, marking pen, and secrecy sleeve to you at the curb. After you mark your ballot, poll workers will return your ballot to the polling place. They will insert your ballot into the tabulator to be counted.

Poll Book Accessibility
If you are unable to state your name and address, you may choose someone to do so on your behalf.

If you are unable to sign the poll book due to a disability, let the poll workers know. You will be exempt from this requirement.

Every polling place has magnifying sheets and signature guides available. Extra seating is available if needed.

Help Marking Your Ballot
Every polling place has an ExpressVote ballot marking device. This marks your ballot with selections you make on a touchscreen or Braille keypad. The ExpressVote offers large print and high contrast. It has headphones. It is compatible with sip & puff devices. You will double-check your selections before your ballot prints. You may also feed the printed ballot card back into the ExpresVote, and the machine will tell you how that ballot card is marked. The same tabulator that counts ballots marked by pen also counts ExpressVote ballots.

You may choose someone to help you mark your ballot. They cannot be your employer or labor union representative. The person assisting you does not need to be eligible to vote. Poll workers will document the name and address of your assistant. Your assistant needs to sign the ballot.

Do not hesitate to ask poll workers for help.

The goal of the City Clerk’s Office is that each eligible voter will be able to cast a ballot and have that ballot counted.