DECEMBER 5, 2005

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today announced that 19 communities will receive a total of more than $200,000 to improve polling place access for voters with disabilities.

This is the second round of grants awarded through Michigan’s "Improving Access for All" program. The funds reimburse communities for their precinct enhancements.

"Everyone who wants to vote must have that opportunity," said Land, Michigan’s chief election officer. "We want to eliminate any physical barriers that may impede voters with disabilities from going to the polls. These funds will help communities improve precinct access. Thanks to the cooperation of local election officials and members of Michigan’s disability community, we’re paving the way for a more inclusive election process."

Communities receiving funding are in the counties of Allegan, Chippewa, Eaton, Genesee, Jackson, Keweenaw, Leelanau, Livingston, Macomb, Marquette, Midland, Muskegon, Ottawa, Presque Isle, Saginaw, Tuscola and Wayne.

"Over the past two years, disability advocates and consumers have worked with local election officials to help them assess the accessibility of their polling places," said Tom Masseau, director of government and media relations for Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service Inc. "Today, clerks all over the state have taken advantage of the funds available under the Help America Vote Act to ensure that voters with disabilities will have a barrier-free polling place. Disability advocates, consumers and clerks have shown that by working together as a community, voters with disabilities will have the opportunity to access the polls and cast their ballots."

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is awarding Michigan more than $982,000 for precinct accessibility improvements. Nearly $400,000 was awarded to 80 communities earlier this year. The remaining funds soon will be allocated.

Communities applied to the Department of State for funding 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 the 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.

Land pointed out that this is one part of a two-pronged approach to ensuring precinct accessibility. The department also is seeking vendor bids for voting equipment that provides the disability community with access and privacy when casting ballots.

Related Links
> HHS Grants - Chart showing communities involved (Adobe PDF FILE)
> HHS Grants - Chart showing communities involved (HTML File)
> HHS Grants - Map showing communities involved (Adobe PDF FILE)