EP makes casting a ballot accessible to all

While many citizens do not take for granted their fundamental right to vote, the ability to vote with ease may be something they don’t think twice about. But people with disabilities can face significant barriers to voting, including physical, technological, informational and transportation.

Accessible voting means ensuring that all people, regardless of ability, can exercise their right to vote privately, independently and with dignity. 

”The intent is to make the process as equitable as possible for everybody, regardless of their needs,” said Eden Prairie City Clerk David Teigland.

Policies and technologies continue to evolve, providing multiple methods for voters with disabilities to cast their votes. 

Eden Prairie resident Pat Abatemarco has been visually impaired since age 18 and legally blind for five years.

“I’ve been walking with a white cane for five years and largely stopped reading print five years ago,” she said. It is important for her to be engaged in voting because she wants to help elect leaders who will represent her and her needs, as well as empower all people with disabilities. 

When considering candidates, Abatemarco asks, ”Do they support social services? Do they seem to value the participation in society of disabled people as much as the non-disabled? If there’s a candidate that disrespects the disabled or the elderly, I notice, and it influences my vote every time.”

Abatemarco also wants to know if candidates support agencies that will help her live an independent life, such as the State Services for the Blind, which helps visually impaired people live independently through tools and training for employment. 

“That is how I learned to use a white cane and navigate the world successfully,” she said.  “I am also engaging with them to learn audible computer skills so I can participate in the workforce again.”

Absentee or in person

Voting from home by absentee ballot allows people “the leisure to fill out a ballot at their own pace,” said Teigland. Citizens can mail in their ballot, or “they can also drop a ballot that they’ve gotten in the mail here to us in person so they can witness someone actually receiving the ballot, stamping it approved and dropping it in the box.”

During in-person early voting and on election day, election judges at every polling location are trained to aid people with disabilities. “Election judges can sit down with them and help them mark the ballot, or they can bring somebody in,” said Teigland. 

“We also strive to be accessible for the people who come on their own and might need that extra piece, whatever it is. It could be as simple as offering somebody a chair and letting them vote at a table rather than stand up at a voting booth. We try to be aware of that, especially in this election. The presidential election will bring out people who don’t necessarily vote in other elections. So we’re seeing a lot of all types of voters who might not normally come out to the polls.” 

When voting early or on Nov. 5, voters may opt to use the accessible-voting machines. Eden Prairie precincts use the OmniBallot marking machine. It employs a touchscreen, a Braille touchpad and a “sip/puff” device. An audio function allows voters to listen to instructions and ballot selections and mark their ballots. Machines also have the ability to increase screen and font size. The most recent version uses a touchscreen that “has really made it a lot more user-friendly,” said Teigland.

A new machine will be tested in 2025 that he said will look more like a voting booth and also be more compact. “They’re always looking for ways to make it better.”

Abatemarco, who recently voted using the audio function on the OmniBallot, said, “That part is so smooth every time I’ve gone to the polls. This is my fourth or fifth time now. Every poll worker has known how to use the accessible-voting machine, the one that marks your ballot for you. There’s never been a problem with the machine itself. And they’ve updated them. This is the third machine I’ve used, the third variation, so they keep them up to date, so they work, which I love.” 

Abatemarco also said she loves the ability to be independent in the voting process. “It’s great that you can bring family or friends along to help you vote,” she said. ”But sometimes you don’t necessarily want them to know how you voted. That’s an independent and private thing.” 

Election judges at every precinct are trained to help people use the OmniBallot. They “are on standby in case of any issues with scrolling through the screen or other things,” said Teigland. “They make sure it’s calibrated properly to correctly fill in the ovals.”

Anyone may use the OmniBallot. “You don’t have to prove a disability of any type to use it,” said Teigland.

Curbside voting

For people who cannot easily leave their cars or physically enter a building, curbside voting is available during early voting at City Center, 8080 Mitchel Road, and on election day on Nov. 5 at all polling places.

“You can have somebody come out to your car and help you vote from the car,” said Teigland. “We’ve had several people do that. People can call in advance or just show up, and that’s fine, too. We actually have new signage to promote that at the polling places, because people don’t always know about it. When they get to the accessible parking area, there will be a number they can call to let (election workers) know that somebody’s out there. We’re looking forward to seeing how that works and how to use that going forward.” 

When voting from a car, explained Teigland, “Two judges of different political parties come out. They bring the ballot to you and make sure you’re registered. You can even register then if you’re not registered. And then they do the whole voting process there.”

After voters make their ballot selections, the judges submit the ballot inside and then return with confirmation and the coveted “I Voted” sticker.

Before the vote

People with disabilities often have to overcome barriers well before casting their vote, such as getting information and transportation. Said Abatemarco, who previously lived in another state, “I found it easy to find out what my rights were here in Minnesota. In the past, in another state, not as much. The websites are great. They are completely accessible with screen readers.” 

And while Abatemarco called the accessibility of voting in Eden Prairie “fantastic,” she did face one barrier with transportation.

“Transportation around Eden Prairie for folks with disabilities is challenging,” she said. “Without being fully integrated into metro mobility, which Eden Prairie is not, I would have had to take a SouthWest Prime ride to the voting location, which is $5 each way, so that’s 10 bucks to vote. And for anyone with economic challenges, that might not be feasible.

“And the fact that most polling locations aren’t on transit routes is a big deal for folks.”

Abatemarco’s transportation issue was solved when someone volunteered to drive her to vote. “If you know someone who is disabled or elderly or has transportation issues, see if they have a way to get to the polls,” she said.

For local election information, visit the city website, which provides comprehensive resources on polling locations, voting options, and key election details.