STATEMENT FROM SECRETARY OF STATE MAURO ON NATIONAL POLL ACCESSIBILITY STUDY

DES MOINES – Secretary of State Michael A. Mauro, today, released the following statement regarding a new report on poll accessibility from the U.S. Government Accountability Office:

“I believe we are among the top in overall accessibility,” said Secretary Mauro. “There was a major effort prior to the 2008 election to help out a number of precincts in accommodating Iowans with a disability, whether it was the widening of doorways, a ramp or paving a walkway.”

“It is inexcusable to think a voter with disabilities should have these kinds of barriers in casting their ballot. Iowa has definitely been proactive in this area of elections and we will continue to look for ways to improve.”

Out of the 1,774 polling sites in the state, only five were issued a temporary waiver of accessibility in the 2008 General Election. Four of these sites were issued waivers due to natural disasters.

The report shows over 70-percent of polling places nationwide had some type of barrier to voters with disabilities. The report can be viewed by visiting, www.gao.gov.

Last November’s General Election was the first statewide election in which every precinct was outfitted with voting equipment that allowed voters with disabilities to cast a ballot without assistance.

The Secretary of State’s Office worked in collaboration with the Governor’s Developmental Disability Council (GDDC), Iowa Protection and Advocacy Services, Inc., and Iowans with Disabilities in Action (ID Action) on these efforts.

In 2008, the National Federation of the Blind of Iowa recognized the Secretary of State’s Office with their Distinguished Service Award for its commitment to blind voters and ensuring all Iowans are able to cast a truly secret ballot in all elections across the state.

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