INDIANAPOLIS — On Election Day, Indiana Disability Rights attorneys will answer questions and take complaints from people with disabilities who experience problems casting their ballots.
The Hoosiers Vote Hotline will be open during polling hours, from 6 a.m to 6 p.m. local time.
The number is 800-622-4845.
Every person who has registered to vote and has proper identification should be able to cast their vote privately and independently at their polling place or through absentee voting, according to Indiana Disability Rights.
Unfortunately, some people with disabilities may experience issues when they try to vote.
Possible issues voters may encounter, according to IDR:
· Lack of an accessible path from the parking spot/drop off point to the voting booth;
· Stairs or non-paved surfaces such as gravel or grass as the only path to the polling location;
· Lack of at least one doorway wide enough for a wheelchair to get through to access the polling location;
· Lack of at least one set of automatic doors or someone available to open doors;
· Lack of a functioning, accessible voting machine;
· Lack of poll workers available who know how to operate the accessible voting machine.
If you require assistance in order to cast your vote, a poll worker may assist you or you may bring someone with you to assist you, according to Indiana Disability Rights.
The person who assists you cannot be your employer or your union representative and you must request assistance before you enter the voting booth.