Any and all buildings used for polling place locations must meet the accessibility requirements set forth under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If a building used for a polling place location cannot be made accessible as stipulated under the ADA, the polling place must be moved to a building which meets the ADA accessibility requirements.

In April 2005, the Bureau of Elections introduced the Polling Place Accessibility Improvement Program ? a grant program which Michigan's cities and townships can use to recover the costs they incur in making their polling places ADA compliant. The grant program is funded through the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (Title II, Section 261; CFDA 93.617). The Bureau of Elections is responsible for overseeing the grant process.

As there are still a number of jurisdictions that could benefit from the grant program and grant funds remain available, a new grant application period is being offered. The new application window will begin on July 18, 2011 and extend through August 26, 2011.

Complete information on the polling place accessibility grant program can be found on the Bureau of Elections Web site: www.Michigan.gov/sos.  On the Elections in Michigan page, click on "Information for Election Administrators."  At the top of the page you will find the grant application and polling place accessibility checklist.  Please read through the instructions carefully, as incomplete applications will not be accepted.

City and township clerks who have any questions regarding the grant program are encouraged to contact David Foster of the Bureau of Elections. Phone: (517) 373-2540. Email: FosterD2@Michigan.gov