Voters with disabilities will experience improved access to polling places in Clark County, thanks to a newly forged agreement with the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Nevada. The settlement, which spans the next two federal election cycles, is part of a larger effort to enforce the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and ensure equal voting rights.
After a compliance review conducted during the June 11, 2024 primary election revealed several barriers at eight polling sites, action was taken to remedy these issues in time for the 2024 General Election. Found with problems ranging from absent van-accessible parking and signage to steep ramps and sudden level changes, these locations saw temporary adjustments, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The agreement also demands that Clark County collaborate with an accessibility expert, employ an ADA architectural standards-based evaluation form for polling sites, and conduct regular accessibility surveys of these locations. Sue Fahami, First Assistant United States Attorney, District of Nevada, said, "Voting is a fundamental right and the ADA guarantees that every person with a disability has an equal opportunity to exercise that right and cast their ballot in person and independently." She commended Clark County for its collaborative approach to resolving the issues at hand, according to the press release.
To further solidify these improvements, Clark County is now obliged to select ADA-compliant polling locations and train poll workers on the County’s ADA obligations. The implemented training for poll workers by Clark County, will be overseen by the agreement, is tasked with increasing the understanding of how to assist voters with disabilities adequately during future elections, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
This initiative highlights the Justice Department’s ADA Voting Initiative's goals, which advocate for the rights of individuals with disabilities nationwide. For individuals seeking more information or to report ADA violations, the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) is available, and reports can be submitted at www.civilrights.justice.gov.
