How do disabled voters vote?

[sweetheart]

I've been trying to discover how someone severely disabled, or blind
votes. Are "helpers" or "proxys" allowed to assist such folks. I've
been looking at the text of the unhelpful "HAVA-2002" (help america
vote act), and am at a loss.

The very-elderly surely have similar problems, with reading problems,
not being able to stand for so long in a booth, and such things.

Do you think such peoples are deterred from voting?

[crimson333]

1. can vote absentee

or they can have a helper if a doctor confirms disability

atleast that is what they told me in Alabama

[peacebuzzard]

2. I helped my disabled sister vote.

And, actually went into the booth with her to assist.

[sweetheart]

4. Did you need special clearance?

Did the register demand you show ID as an official "helper" of your
disabled sister?

[crimson333]

6. I have M. S.

and they told me I would just need to present a letter signed by my doctor

[sweetheart]

7. What are the symptoms of M.S?

I'm sorry to be very ignorant of M.S. I only know some folks smoke
weed to take away pain. What makes it disabling for voting?

Can you stand and walk? It strikes me that disabled people may not
be voting as much as we would like, being physically deterred.

Did you have to send in the letter with your registration? Did your
doctor charge you to make such a letter? Isn't that sort of a poll
tax?

[crimson333]

9. I can still

stand an walk, just not for an extended amount of time, some are less mobile than me, which is the problem. I voted absentee, because I was at school and would not get back in time.

My doctor has never charged me for a letter.

[sevendogs]

12. MS

People with MS have varying symptoms. I do and can stand and walk with crutches. Some are in wheelchairs, some are blind, some show little effects.

Some people, particularly in Canada, use medicinal marijuana. There can be rather disabling pain from MS, eye pain and nerve pain.

[sweetheart]

13. God bless you

I hope you experience minimal pain. Thank you for replying.

I wish nobody had to suffer from chronic pain, and expecially that
those who do suffer were not prohibited by hateful-republicans from
getting proper pain medication.

Every day i discover american heros that pop out of the woodwork,
like yourself, who fights a noble battle.

Godspeed to you and your loved ones,
-s

[peacebuzzard]

10. they actually stated all that was needed was her consent.

but her disability is physically evident, she's a very small and fragile person with obvious assistance needs. They did not ask for any credentials from me.

[Mistress Quickly]

3. Here in GA

they have to fill out a form stating who they are, the relation to the person, and why the person needs help, but besides that, no problem. I saw quite a few in GA Tuesday when I was poll watching.

The voting 'tables' also can be raised or lowered to accomodate wheelchairs or other devices.

[sweetheart]

5. How about the blind?

Are there special polling machines in braille? Or must such a
person be assisted?

How about people who can't read? Can they bring someone to read
them the ballot?

[Mistress Quickly]

11. We had someone who

I think was illiterate, and they had a friend who signed the form and read the ballot.

There were election deputies who could read the ballots for people if needed. Not sure about the blind question, but I'm going to assume there is a provision for that. I will try to find out tomorrow, because now I'm curious.

[Gothmog]

8. Florida election law-can have helpers

I was on the kerry/edwards voter protection team in Broward county and had to take a course in Florida election law. A disabled voter has the right to have someone of their choice to assist them in the voting booth. Otherwise, the disabled person can request assistance from the polling workers and if this occurs, then two poll workers must jointly assist the disabled voter.

I had to help an extremely disabled voter get into the polling place on Tuesday. I helped her to the polling place and got the workers to give her a chair to sit on while she signed in. There was one machine reserved for disable voters that she was able to use immediatedly after voting. Helping this lady to vote was one of the few highlights of my time in Broward county.