Accessible (ADA) Voting Services

Election Day

In Ohio, every polling location is required to be accessible to ensure equal access for people with disabilities. In Cuyahoga County, the following voting options are available at Election Day polling locations to voters with disabilities:

ADA Ballot Marking Device

Each polling location has one ADA ballot-marking device for voters who need assistance marking their ballot. This unit, called ClearAccess, offers functions such as audio ballots, Braille and tactile lettering, touch screen or push-button navigation, and more.

Watch a video on the ClearAccess ADA Ballot Marking device here

Assistance Marking a Ballot

If a voter needs assistance marking his/her ballot because of a disability, the voter may bring another individual to help, or can ask for assistance from two poll workers of opposite major political parties. Only the following people cannot help another voter:

  • A candidate whose name appears on the ballot
  • An employer or employer’s agent
  • An officer or agent of a union

No one who assists can tell a voter how to vote or disclose any information about how that person voted.

Curbside Voting

A voter who is physically unable to enter a polling location can choose to use curbside voting. In this instance, the voter who is unable to physically enter a polling location sends another person into the polling location to inform the poll workers there is a voter who needs to vote using the curbside method. Two poll workers of opposite major political parties then process the curbside voter, including providing the voter with a ballot. Once the voter has completed voting, the two poll workers return to the polling location and scan the ballot for the curbside voter.

 

Vote-by-Mail

All voters in Ohio, including those with a disability, can request and receive a Vote-by-Mail (VBM) ballot.

Remote Ballot Marking System

Any voter with a qualifying disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) may request a VBM ballot and then vote that ballot remotely using what is called a remote ballot marking system. See the link below for more information.

See Ohio Secretary of State information on Remote Ballot Marking System

Early In-Person

All voters in Ohio, including those with a disability, have the option of voting Early In-Person (EIP) at their county-designated early voting location. In Cuyahoga County, that is 2925 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115.

The same options available to an accessible voter at an Election Day polling location are also available during EIP voting. This includes access to an ADA ballot-marking device (ClearAccess), curbside voting, and the assistance of two poll workers. The EIP poll worker staff are very experienced handling accessible voters and will ensure a positive voting experience.

More information and resources are available through the Secretary of State's Voters with Disabilities page

Ohio Secretary of State Accessible Voting Resources

  
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If you would like to contact our staff, please email us at electioninfo@cuyahogacounty.gov.