Charleston, South Carolina – The Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections has started a new initiative to assist voters with impairments in casting their ballots.
Voters with impairments can now use a tool called the Accessibility Menu. The menu provides information about voter accessibility services and alternatives, including as audio ballots and requests for in-person poll help.
The menu is available at the check-in desk at all polling centers, both early voting and election day.
According to Haley Oryell, Community Engagement Manager for the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections, citizens are often unaware of their voting options.
“The menu makes all these options more visible to voters,” Oryell explains. “They’ll be available at all check-in desks at all of the locations, and it just makes it easier for voters to indicate as far as what they want as far as an accessibility service.”
The concept was developed in collaboration with the county board’s Voter Accessibility Advisory Committee. The committee is managed by representatives from ten different local disability advocacy organizations with the goal of improving voting accessibility.
The group is trying to improve poll worker training so that voters who require assistance can receive it more effectively.
According to Disability Rights of South Carolina attorney David Zoellner, this work strengthens voters’ rights under the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Help America Vote Act.
According to Zoellner, the resource enhances accessible options such as absentee ballots, early voting, and curbside voting. He adds that voting machines can include larger text for easy viewing, as well as on-screen contrast adjustments.
Oryell claims they’re focusing on respectful and efficient poll worker etiquette training with the trial release of a new resource kit.
Election workers will be equipped with ready-made kits that include signature guides, supplementary signs, and disposable headphones. Sensory inclusive bags containing relaxing activities like fidget tools and noise-cancelling headphones will also be provided.
“That’s going to help a little bit with that training too,” Oryell tells me. “They know where to find everything in this set. So if someone wants or needs something, they can go get it because they know where to look and where their resources are.”
Charleston County early voting for municipal elections will be available from October 20 to October 24. Monday through Friday, voters can cast their ballots between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
Election day is November 4. Polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m.
Voters can request absentee ballots by phone, mail, or in person. Ballot applications must be completed and returned to the Charleston County Board of Voter Registration and Elections by 5 p.m. on October 24.
