Voters with a Disability

 Accessibility

• Prior to the opening of the polls, the precinct election board must choose two members of the board to assist those who may be unable to cast their votes without assistance. Iowa Code § 49.89 (2003).
• Any voter may request assistance if the voter is:
• blind,
• cannot read the English language, or
• unable to cast a vote without assistance because of a physical disability other than intoxication.
• The voter will be assisted by the two officers selected by the precinct board, or by any other person the voter may select other than the voter’s employer, an agent of that employer, or an officer or an agent of the voter’s union.
• The officers, or the person selected by the voter, shall cast the vote of the voter requiring assistance. Iowa Code § 49.90 (2003).
• If a voter cannot enter the polling place due to a disability, the two officers shall take a paper ballot to the voter’s vehicle and allow the voter to cast the ballot in the vehicle. Iowa Code § 49.90 (2003).
• At least one voting booth in each precinct shall be accessible to persons with disabilities. Iowa Code § 49.25(3) (2003).
• If a voter with a disability cannot cast a ballot on a voting machine the voter must be allowed to cast a paper ballot. Iowa Code § 49.90 (2003).
• If a voter is confined to a hospital or health care facility an absentee ballot can be specially delivered to them by two election officials representing the two major parties. Iowa Code § 53.22 (2003).