The Department of Justice (DOJ) has reached a settlement with Los Angeles County to address a lawsuit over allegations that the county had neglected the needs of voters with disabilities. According to a DOJ press release, an investigation found that many of the county's polling places were not accessible for people with mobility and vision disabilities, presenting challenges such as steep ramps and a lack of suitable parking. This lawsuit follows a pattern of barriers to voting identified in multiple elections over recent years.
U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada stated, "The right to vote is essential to our democracy and must be protected for all voters," emphasizing the importance of providing an equal opportunity to vote in person. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke reinforced this sentiment, declaring that "People with disabilities are entitled to full inclusion at the ballot box." The settlement aims to ameliorate such issues by requiring Los Angeles County to consult with an independent accessibility expert on site selection for polling places.
The agreement outlines that the county must work with said expert, who will be reporting biannually to the United States on Los Angeles County’s progress. Part of this commitment also includes the improvement of curbside voting programs that were found lacking during the investigation. The county agreed to implement clear signage indicating that curbside voting is available, as well as providing means for voters to request assistance.
Los Angeles County is not alone in facing scrutiny over polling place accessibility. The DOJ's ADA Voting Initiative has been actively pursuing increased accessibility in more than 35 jurisdictions nationwide. As part of this initiative, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania, and Coconino County, Arizona, amongst others, have seen similar oversight and improvements. This settlement was published just after as the 34th anniversary of the ADA passed, serving as a reminder of the ongoing efforts necessary to achieve the law’s goals of equity, inclusion, and accessibility for persons with disabilities.
Last month marked the landmark 34th anniversary of the ADA, and while progress has been made, Assistant United States Attorneys Richard Park, Katherine Hikida, Matthew Barragan, Margaret Chen, and Alexandra Young, together with the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division's Disability Rights Section, continue to work towards the full realization of the ADA's promises. Public Information Officer Ciaran McEvoy can be contacted for more information, and individuals wishing to learn more or report ADA violations can reach the DOJ's toll-free ADA information line or visit their website.
