PRIA, Government Policy, Made Personal

Summary

States must provide voting and registration help for older and disabled voters, like large-print instructions posted at every permanent registration office and polling place and information available through devices for deaf people. Disabled voters do not need a notary or a medical certificate to get an absentee ballot, unless state law requires a medical certificate to get ballots automatically or to apply after the deadline. The state must announce these aids, the help under section 10508, and absentee voting steps when general registration notices are sent.

Title 52, §20104

Voting and Elections, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)Printed instructions; telecommunications devices for the deaf

Each State shall make available registration and voting aids for Federal elections for handicapped and elderly individuals, including—

(1)instructions, printed in large type, conspicuously displayed at each permanent registration facility and each polling place; and

(2)information by telecommunications devices for the deaf.

(b)Medical certification

No notarization or medical certification shall be required of a handicapped voter with respect to an absentee ballot or an application for such ballot, except that medical certification may be required when the certification establishes eligibility, under State law—

(1)to automatically receive an application or a ballot on a continuing basis; or

(2)to apply for an absentee ballot after the deadline has passed.

(c)Notice of availability of aids

The chief election officer of each State shall provide public notice, calculated to reach elderly and handicapped voters, of the availability of aids under this section, assistance under section 10508 of this title, and the procedures for voting by absentee ballot, not later than general public notice of registration and voting is provided.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification Section was formerly classified to section 1973ee–3 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare, prior to editorial reclassification and renumbering as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section applicable with respect to elections taking place after Dec. 31, 1985, see section 9 of Pub. L. 98–435, set out as a note under section 20101 of this title.

§20104 Registration and Voting Aids