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Detroit polling locations largely not accessible to disabled voters, audit finds


ID: A row of voting booths lined up against a wall of windows. Each booth has an American flag and the word "Vote" on it.


Detroit Disability Power found 84% of voting locations in Detroit and in 15 suburbs were not fully accessible on Election Day last year.


In 2022, Detroit Disability Power worked with the Carter Center to gauge how accessible Metro Detroit’s polling sites were for disabled voters.


The group found 84% of voting locations in Detroit and in 15 suburbs were not fully accessible on Election Day.


“It’s not surprising based on our experiences as disabled voters,” says DDP Executive Director Dessa Cosma, who uses a wheelchair.


She says there are a variety of barriers disabled voters face when they try to vote.


“Things like steps going into polling locations, or no wheelchair height voting booths, or nonworking accessible voting machines.”


The groups also found election workers were not prepared to serve voters with disabilities.



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