Persons with Disabilities

Working to ensure equal access for all voters!

The Worcester Election Office is committed to:

• Surveying every polling place to ensure they are accessible by meeting state and federal regulations.
• Working with and helping train Election Day poll workers on sensitivity to all voters as well as the proper procedures and testing to ensure the polling location is accessible and the accessible voting equipment is made available to all voters.
• Working with local organizations to ensure voters are familiar with the accessible voting equipment and availability of such equipment at every polling location.

Voting Procedures

A voter can choose someone to assist entering the polling location, checking in, entering the voting booth, preparing the ballot, exiting the booth and checking out. Voting via mail-in absentee ballot at home is another option used by elderly and disabled voters. For more information regarding absentee voting, contact our office at 508-799-1134.

Polling Places

All polling locations in Worcester are required to be accessible. Voting assistance and absentee voting offer options that persons with disabilities may use to vote, but are not considered substitutes of actual accessibility to the voting location. Accessible voting provides the same opportunity for access and participation to persons with disabilities as for other voters.

Where Do I Vote?

Voting Equipment

Both federal law and state requirements mandate that voting systems be equipped for voters with disabilities allowing such voters to have the same opportunity to vote privately and independently. It is required that every precinct must have at least one accessible voting machine available.

There is at least one accessible marking unit in every polling place in Worcester. The AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminals are marking devices that use audio cue capacity for visually impaired voters. The AutoMark also has a feature that will greatly magnify the ballot or display the ballot high-contrast for voters that have limited visual impairment. The AutoMark can also produce an oral report to the voter as the choices selected prior to the voter printing the ballot.

• Help America Vote Act
• How to Use the AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminal

Accessible Voting By Mail

Accessible Vote by Mail Ballot – Voting Procedures

In Worcester, voters can choose to receive an accessible Vote by Mail ballot. Accessible vote by mail ballots are available for certain voters. If you are blind or have a vision impairment, have a mobility or dexterity disability, or have another disability that makes it difficult for you to mark a paper ballot, you can request an accessible vote by mail ballot. You can use the accessible vote by mail system to mark your ballot using a computer or mobile device. Once you’re done voting, you can return your ballot electronically.

Applying for your Ballot

To request your Vote by Mail ballot, you will need to submit a Vote by Mail application to the Worcester Election Office:

• Online - Mail-In Ballot Registration Status : Search
• By mail – Worcester Election Commission, 455 Main Street Room 208, Worcester, MA 01608
• By e-mail or fax - votebymail@worcesterma.gov or 508-799-1137
• In person - Worcester Election Commission, 455 Main Street Room 208, Worcester, MA 01608

Vote by Mail applications can be submitted online through the Mail-in Ballot Application System.

To receive an accessible Vote by Mail ballot, check the appropriate box at the bottom of the online application form and provide your email address.

An Accessible Vote by Mail Application can be downloaded or printed.

The accessible Vote by Mail application allows you to use a type-written signature if you are not able to independently sign your application by hand.

Application Deadlines

Any mail-in ballot must be requested in writing by 5 p.m. on the 5th business day before the election. Your application can only be accepted if it has reached your local election office by the deadline. Apply as early as possible.

Voting by Accessible Vote by Mail Ballot

Once your application has been received by your local election office, they will send two emails to the email address provided on your application. One will include instructions for accessing the system and returning your completed ballot and the second will give you a unique access PIN to use to login. You can use the accessible vote by mail system to mark your ballot using a computer or mobile device. Once you’re done voting, you can return your ballot electronically or print your completed ballot.

Returning Your Accessible Vote by Mail Ballot Electronically

To return the ballot electronically, you will need to review the ballot materials and ballot before submitting the ballot to your local election official using the secure web portal. Ballots returned electronically must be received by the close of polls on Election Day.

Contact us if we can help

The Worcester Elections office is committed to making voting accessible for all voters. Please let us know how we can improve accessibility by calling us at 508-799-1134. You may also e-mail us at elections@worcesterma.gov.