- Offering ES&S ExpressVote voting equipment and a system of electronic voting that meets disability standards as prescribed by the Texas Secretary of State and Federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) requirements
- Working to ensure that 100 percent of all polling locations are accessible in accordance with standards set forth by the United States Department of Justice
- Providing education and training to election workers on methods to best assist voters with disabilities
- Providing voter outreach through demonstrations and educational materials
VOTING AT THE POLLING LOCATION
The Travis County Elections Division is dedicated to making all polling places fully accessible (including the pathway to the polling place) and seeking input from the community to ensure that accessibility. Polling places are inspected to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act Checklist for Polling Places, and election workers are trained to offer support to persons with special needs.
If you have questions or want to provide feedback about accessibility issues, please contact our office by email or by (512) 238-8683 or (512) 854-4996.
Receiving Assistance at the Polls
You are entitled to receive assistance if you cannot read or write or if you have a physical disability that prevents you from reading or marking the ballot. You may be assisted by a person of your choice who is not your union representative or employer. Under certain circumstances, election workers are also available upon request to assist you.
Pursuant to Section 63.0015(b) of the Texas Election Code: An election officer shall give voting order priority to individuals with a mobility problem that substantially impairs the person’s ability to move around.
Using an Interpreter
If you cannot speak English, or if you communicate only with sign language, you may use an interpreter to help you communicate with election officials at the polling place. You may select anyone to be your interpreter. If you cannot read the languages on the ballot, your interpreter may also assist you by translating the language on the ballot for you in the voting booth. If you have a hearing impairment and do not have a sign language interpreter who can accompany you to communicate with the poll worker or read the ballot for you, please use RelayTexas (dial 7-1-1) in order to contact us at (512) 238-8683 or (512) 854-4996.
CURBSIDE VOTING
Voters who are physically unable to enter the polling location without assistance or likelihood of injury to the voter’s health may ask the presiding election official to allow them to vote outside the polling location. The election officer shall deliver a ballot to the voter at the polling place entrance or curb. (Texas Election Code Section 64.009)
Voters who are planning to vote curbside are encouraged to contact us upon their arrival at the polling location. Call (512) 238-8683 or (512) 854-4996.
Please note: Curbside is a slow process that takes time. It is not drive-thru voting and it is recommended anyone utilizing curbside voting gives themselves plenty of time to complete the process.
VOTING SYSTEM ACCESSIBILITY OPTIONS
Travis County’s voting system meets the disability standards as prescribed by the Texas Secretary of State and Federal Help America Vote Act. These features allow voters to cast their votes privately, securely, and without assistance.
- The paper-based ExpressVote Universal Voting System uses touch-screen technology in a Ballot Marking Device (BMD) that produces a paper record for tabulation. As a BMD, the ExpressVote handles the entire marking process, eliminating marginal marks and the need for interpretation of the voter’s mark.
- Voters who are visually impaired or blind may choose to use headphones to hear the ballot read aloud. The audio is recorded in both English and Spanish.
- Voters with limited dexterity or limited upper body mobility may vote by using the tactile input switches on the equipment. Sip-and-puff accessibility is also available.
- Our customized voting tables make all the voting machines wheelchair accessible.
- Voters with disabilities may request the option of “curbside voting.” In this case, a poll worker brings a voting unit to the voter’s vehicle.
APPLYING FOR PHOTO ID DISABILITY EXEMPTION
Voters with a disability may apply for a permanent exemption. The application must contain written documentation either from the U.S. Social Security Administration evidencing he or she has been determined to have a disability, or from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs evidencing a disability rating of at least 50 percent.
Exemption applications in English and Spanish are available at TravisCountyTax.org.