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.

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 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 out office at 508-799-1134.

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.

AutoMARK Terminal Being Used to Help Mark a Ballot

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.

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.

Accessible Voting By Mail

Voters who have a disability which prevents them from being able to independently mark a paper ballot are allowed to request a reasonable accommodation. Additional information on accessible voting by mail will be forthcoming.

Contact Information

Election Commission
City Hall Room 208
455 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01608

Accessible via WRTA Bus Line. View Schedules

Phone: 508-799-1134
Fax: 508-799-1137
Email Us

Office Hours:
Monday
8:45 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tuesday - Friday
8:45 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.