In a move towards inclusivity, the Cobb County Board of Elections has been working with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, leading to a settlement agreement aimed at removing physical barriers at polling locations for the disabled, said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. He highlighted the collaboration as a step towards ensuring that all citizens, regardless of disability, can exercise their fundamental right to vote.
"During this election year, it is appropriate to remember that voting is a fundamental right and hallmark of our democracy; therefore, a person with a disability should have an equal opportunity to cast a ballot in person on Election Day," commented Buchanan in a scenario that reflects the country's ongoing battle for civil rights, except this battlefield is not strewn with the carnage of war but instead with the silent but formidable obstacles that can preclude individuals with disabilities from the simplest of civic acts that is casting a ballot, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The settlement comes after an extensive review from 2016 to 2024 where more than 50 polling locations were surveyed, revealing that physical barriers were a significant issue at numerous sites, which Cobb County has now committed to rectify by employing temporary measures to make the polls accessible for the November 2024 general election.
Accessibility training for poll workers is a part of the agreement; they will learn not only about the County’s obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act but also how to implement the agreed-upon temporary measures on the ground on Election Day to help ensure that everyone, regardless of mobility or disability status, has a clear path to the ballot box. The training not just a mere formality but a critical component in the fight against disenfranchisement.
To ensure continued compliance, the Cobb County Board of Elections will also conduct a full review of all polling places, establishing new sites that fully meet ADA standards, while the U.S. Attorney’s Office will maintain an oversight role to provide technical assistance when needed, thus ensuring ADA compliance and equal access for all voters moving forward, according to the United States Attorney’s Office.
