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.

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

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

New Accessible At-Home Voting Option Now Available to Worcester Voters

Worcester is making voting from home easier for voters with disabilities in the upcoming election. For the first time ever, eligible Worcester voters who cannot independently access and mark a paper absentee ballot due to disabilities, now have the option to electronically access and return their ballot. Accessible vote by mail will allow voters with print or visual impairments to mark their votes independently and privately, then submit their ballot via a secure electronic delivery system. The system is available on computers and smart devices for voters requesting an accessible mail in ballot option. Accessible polling place voting is also available for voters wishing to vote at the polls. To request an accessible mail in ballot please email elections@worcesterma.gov or call 508-799-1134.