Disability Voting Rights
Voting is the right and duty of all American citizens but some New Yorkers with disabilities say they don't have equal rights when it comes to voting. The U.S. Department of Justice is suing the state for breaking federal laws that require handicapped accessible voting booths. NewsChannel 34's Michelle Marsh talked to officials from the County Board of Elections and the Southern Tier Independence Center about this long standing problem.
In less than six months, voters will walk into polling booths and cast their ballots in this year's primaries. But for some New Yorkers, going to the polls is not an option. Frank Pennisi from the Southern Tier Independence Center says many people with disabilities stay home or vote using absentee ballots because current machines are not handicapped accessible.
Pennisi says, "New York didn't pass its enabling legislation until June of last year. They dragged their feet. For two and a half years."
This week, the New York State Independence Council created this survey and sent it to all elected officials in the state. The group hopes it will push the state to move faster with the plans for new machines.
Pennisi says "Asking them why do they still hold onto the full face ballot, which is a 19th century invention which every other state has gotten rid of. And also asking why are you not mandating polling place access."
All voting stations in Broome County are handicapped accessible with ramps like this, but the machines aren't. Four years ago, the federal government gave New York State 49 million dollars for new machines but no changes have been made. And the state could lose that money if it doesn't meet this year's September deadline.
The new machines would come equipped with features like touch screens and lower stations so that wheelchairs can easily maneuver. Finding a machine with these features isn't the hard part, the way the races are displayed IS the issue.
Pennisi says, "New York State has the full face ballot requirement which means the whole ballot has to be displayed at one time. There are no machines in use anywhere else that do this because other states, if you have Bush versus Kerry then you go to the next race."
Broome County Board of Election officials have their hands tied because even if they find a machine that meets the requirements, the county has to wait on the state to certify the machine.
John Sejan, of the Broome County Board of Elections says, "We do voice our concerns to the state of what we think will work and will not work in order to meet these criteria, at this point that's about all we can do."
Voters with disabilities will likely have to wait at least another year before they can do away with absentee ballots and head to the polls.
The results of the survey may be used in court. The trial of the federal lawsuit against the state is scheduled to begin next Monday in Albany.