Federal laws protect voting rights for people with disabilities, but many still experience barriers, which can lead to lower voter turnout.
According to a 2023 U.S. Election Assistance Commission report, one in seven voters with disabilities had difficulties voting in the 2022 election. That's worse than 2020, where one in nine voters with disabilities faced challenges.
Cole Uecker is the Executive Director for Disability Rights South Dakota. He said accessibility issues can be a barrier for some voters—especially in rural areas—where some polling sites are in private residences or other private locations.
"But in addition to that, in South Dakota, there's been recent efforts to take a look at the ballot marking devices and whether or not those are having issues," said Uecker. "People with disabilities do rely on those machines to vote independently and privately. They provide an opportunity for people with visual impairments to use either high-contrast features or auditory feedback of the ballot...perhaps a joystick for people who can't touch the screen to make a selection."
Uecker stressed the importance of accessibility for voters with disabilities and older adults. "People with disabilities and our older population...they have just as much—if not in some cases, maybe more—vested interest in the outcome of certain ballot issues because so many people in those groups do rely on the social safety net for which those issues apply," he said.
Secretary of State officials said those with a disability who are voting in-person can contact their local county election official before election day to make special arrangements.
Uecker added that if a voter who has a disability runs into challenges, they can ask the poll workers at their location for assistance and contact the local county auditor to report any issues. They can also file a complaint with the Secretary of State's office.