Voters with Disabilities

Font Size: + -

Feedback Print

As a voter with a disability, you can request a reasonable accommodation or assistance to vote. The Office of the Secretary of State is committed to ensuring accessibility at voting centers, and that you have the opportunity to vote privately and independently.

Voting centers must meet all of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requirements. View the ADA checklist for voting centers for more information.

To request a reasonable accommodation or assistance, contact your county elections department.

Accessible Voters’ Pamphlet

Accessible formats of the voters' pamphlet are available online. If you wish to join the subscription list to receive a copy on CD or USB drive of the Voters' Pamphlet, please contact the voter hotline at (800) 448-4881 or email voterspamphlet@sos.wa.gov. Provide your preferred format, name, telephone number, and mailing address.

Accessible Voting Units

Accessible voting units (AVUs) are available starting 18 days before Election Day, until 8 p.m. on Election Day. For specific dates that AVU voting is available at your county elections department, see voter dates and deadlines. Every county must have at least one AVU at each voting center. AVUs must be wheelchair-accessible and screened from other voters to maintain privacy.

An AVU presents your ballot on a monitor. You select choices by touching the screen, using a select wheel, or by using a tool. You can use headphones to listen to the text and prompts on your ballot. Most machines can also be fitted with sip-and- puff tools.

Assistance Voting Your Ballot

Anyone may assist you in voting your ballot. At a voting center, you may ask for two election workers – one from each political party – to help you fill out your ballot.

A person who has a guardian may still be able to vote and should not be turned away from a voting center by an election worker. Guardianship papers indicate if an individual has the right to vote. If there is ever doubt about a person’s voting status, the person should be issued a provisional ballot to vote with.

Accessibility Concerns

If you are concerned about the accessibility of a voting center, contact your county elections department or contact the Office of the Secretary of State's Elections Division at (800) 448- 4881.