OCTOBER 10, 2005

Contact:
Kelly Chesney
Department of State
(517) 373-2520

Tom Masseau
Michigan Protection
& Advocacy Service
(517) 374-4627

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today announced that seven Upper Peninsula communities will be reimbursed for the costs of improving polling place access for voters with disabilities under the first of three grant awards.

The communities will receive a total of more than $26,000 under the first phase of Michigan’s "Improving Access for All" program. Statewide, nearly $400,000 will be distributed among 80 communities throughout 35 counties.

"The concept of one person, one vote is the foundation of our democracy," said Land, Michigan’s chief election officer. "Too often, members of the disability community face barriers to voting because of the physical condition of some precincts.

"While Michigan communities want to do the right thing, efforts to improve their polling places are often hampered by limited budgets. This program eases that burden by reimbursing our local partners for making the upgrades. I’m pleased with the enthusiastic

assistance of local leaders and Michigan’s disability community. We all agree that improving access to the voting booth can improve participation."

The Upper Peninsula communities are:

• Mathias Township (Alger County) -- $2,408
• Onota Township (Alger County) -- $873
• Fairbanks Township (Delta County) -- $1,363
• City of Ironwood (Gogebic County) -- $6,035
• Duncan Township (Houghton County) $9,245
• Garfield Township (Mackinac County) -- $4,050
• Carp Lake Township (Ontonagon County) -- $2,754

The funds will help communities meet the basic requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to Elmer L. Cerano, executive director of Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service Inc.

"We have been working with the Secretary’s office and local clerks for the past two years to help identify polling places that are inaccessible to voters with disabilities," Cerano said. "The grants awarded today ensure that voters with disabilities will have the same opportunity to participate in the electoral process that other voters have. We applaud Secretary Land for putting these grants into action and hope that the benefiting communities will work with the disability community to ensure continued cooperation."

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is making more than $982,000 available to Michigan for precinct accessibility improvements. The remaining funds will be awarded in two more rounds later this year.

Communities applied to the Department of State following a 2004 survey of their precinct accessibility needs. Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service volunteers worked with local election officials to coordinate the surveys. Communities meeting the eligibility requirements received awards on a first-come, first-served basis. They will be reimbursed upon completing their projects.

Most of the work involves improvements to parking spaces, passenger drop-off areas, interior and exterior paths of travel, building entrances and voting areas.

A list of communities receiving awards is at www.Michigan.gov/sos.

Related Item:
>   Map: Grants to Michigan Municipalities (PDF)