As the 2010 election season approaches, Michigan Protection and Advocacy Service (MPAS) and the Department of State and local election officials are partnering to ensure that all Michigan polls are fully accessible by the November 2, 2010 general election.

Throughout the summer, MPAS staff have been visiting every polling place in Michigan to determine whether or not it meets accessibility requirements.

So far, 1,722 polling locations have been assessed out of nearly 3,700 locations. Many counties throughout the state have been fully assessed and have minor issues – such as placement of handicapped parking signs or striping in parking lots. Grand Traverse and Roscommon counties are fully accessible on the exterior. Other counties are in the 77% to 85% range of accessibility. MPAS Advocates are pleased with the number of polling locations that are accessible or have minor areas of improvement.

Those in jurisdictions that do not comply with accessibility standards will be encouraged to apply for a grant through the Secretary of State’s Improving Access for All grant program to fund adjustments. Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land launched the program in 2005.

To date, over one million dollars has been awarded to cities and townships to make polling places more accessible to people with disabilities. Most of the adjustments involved upgrades to parking spaces, passenger drop-off areas, interior and exterior paths of travel, and building entrances and voting areas. While many municipalities throughout the state used the grant awards to make polling place improvements, still others with inaccessible polling places have not.

“We are pleased to assist local election officials in improving polling place accessibility. We are committed to visiting every polling location in Michigan, providing technical assistance to clerks and working with the Bureau of Elections to assist clerks with submitting their paperwork for reimbursement,” says MPAS executive Director Elmer L. Cerano. “While this will require a great deal of time and effort, MPAS is committed to ensuring that all voters with disabilities in Michigan can go to their polling location on November 2, 2010 and not have to worry about physical barriers preventing them from entering.”

The Department of State’s Bureau of Elections is dedicated to working with clerks to help move the process along and will be announcing an extension of the grant program shortly.

“I applaud the many communities that already have taken advantage of this program,” said Land, Michigan’s chief election officer. “It provides critical support for accessibility improvement projects at a time when resources are scarce. I look forward to continuing this partnership with MPAS so that other communities are aware of this option. Every voter who wishes to cast a ballot in his or her polling place should have that opportunity. We’re committed to making that a reality in Michigan.”

In situations where a polling place is not fully accessible, the Bureau of Elections is following up with a letter to the clerk to determine the jurisdiction’s planned course of action as there are a variety of options (e.g., upgrade with grant funds; upgrade without grant funds; move the polling place).

In addition, the Bureau will be updating the Michigan Voter Information Center Web page. This page is used by voters who are seeking voter information and need help finding their polling place and determining whether or not they are currently accessible.

“Michigan has the ability to be the first state in the country to achieve 100% accessibility at its 3,661 polling locations,” noted Cerano.