In August of 2012, a Federal Judge ruled that New York City’s Board of Elections (BOE) fails to provide voters who use wheelchairs and scooters or have vision impairments with adequate access to vote at polling places.

The Federal Court decision recognizes that New Yorkers with disabilities face multiple obstacles at voter polling places such as:

• Steep and dangerous wheelchair ramps

• Locked doors to wheelchair accessible entrances

• Missing signage

• Objects that block voting equipment

On October 18, 2012, the court ordered specific system-wide compliance efforts to ensure that people with disabilities can vote at polling sites during elections.  These access features include:  

• Designating an ADA compliance official at each poll site

• Developing a long-term plan to transition structurally inaccessible poll sites to accessible locations

DRA, The Law Office of Kevin Mintzer, and Cuti Hecker Wang LLP represent the Plaintiffs United Spinal Association and Disabled In Action in this lawsuit. The lawsuit, which was filed in July of 2010, seeks to make voter polling locations accessible for all elections in New York City.