Hays County, DOJ reach agreement on ADA-compliant polling places

AUSTIN (KXAN) — The U.S. Justice Department reached an agreement with Hays County to ensure access to polling places for voters with disabilities this November.

This agreement follows an investigation into Hays County’s compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act where investigators surveyed the 14 polling places the county used during last year’s election. 

During this investigation, the DOJ found the county’s polling places had barriers to access for voters with disabilities. Some of these barriers included a lack of van-accessible parking; excessively sloped ramps; excessively sloped portions of parking spaces, access aisles and exterior routes to the entrance; and protruding objects. Observers also noted a lack of knee and toe clearance at the accessible voting machines and other voting stations. 

Under the settlement agreement, the county will work alongside an accessibility expert and use an evaluation form for each current and prospective polling place to make sure they comply with ADA architectural standards. The county will improve the accessibility of its polling places through a variety of measures as well as train its poll workers and election staff on the requirements of ADA and how to ensure that each polling place is accessible during elections.

“The right to vote is a cornerstone of our democracy and must not be diminished or restricted,” said U.S. Attorney Jaime Esparza in a statement. “People with disabilities are entitled to equal opportunity and full inclusion at the ballot box. Under this agreement, eligible voters with disabilities in Hays County will be able to exercise their fundamental right to vote and participate in our democracy. Our office will continue working to ensure that all eligible Americans have access to the ballot,” he continued.

Learn more about the ADA online or call the Department of Justice’s toll-free information line at (800) 514-0301 or (800) 514-0383. Information about filing a complaint can be found on the DOJ website.