March 6, 2019 - Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon introduced the Disability Voting Rights Act, a bill that would amend the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to promote access to voter registration and voting for individuals with disabilities.

"In the discussion of voting rights, individuals with disabilities are often overlooked, as are the barriers preventing them from making their voices heard at the ballot box," Congresswoman Scanlon said. "The Disability Voting Rights Act will ensure that states promote access to the ballot by making voter registration materials and polling places accessible for persons with disabilities. Our government only reflects the voices of the people when the people can be heard; this bill makes sure this fundamental right is accessible to all citizens."

The Disability Voting Rights Act will:

• Make it easier for individuals with disabilities to request, by mail and electronically, voter registration and absentee ballot applications
• Mandate that polling places, including the path of travel, entrances, exits, and voting areas of each polling facility, are accessible to individuals with disabilities
• Allow individuals with disabilities to use absentee registration procedures and to vote by absentee ballot in elections for Federal office
• Ensure that any valid voter registration and absentee ballot application from an individual with a disability must be processed if received not less than 30 days before the election

This bill will be adopted into H.R.1, the For the People Act, which is expected to pass the House. Read Disability Voting Rights Press Release