Polling Places To Be Accessible To Disabled Voters For September 12 Primary

HARTFORD — Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz announced this week that Connecticut polling places must be accessible on Primary Election Day, Tuesday, September 12, to persons with disabilities.

“Everybody who comes out to vote in this year’s primaries in Connecticut will have an equal opportunity to participate,” said Ms Bysiewicz. “The ability to shape tomorrow through voting is the foundation of our democracy and that includes that polling places are accessible for every eligible voter.”

Large print voting machine instructions will be posted in a conspicuous location and people who are totally blind are entitled to reader services at the polls. In addition, any voter who requires assistance because of blindness, disability, or inability to read may be accompanied in the voting booth by anyone of their choice, other than an employer or an officer or agent for the voter’s labor union.

Citizens who are deaf, hearing-impaired, or speech-impaired may obtain information about voting from the Secretary of the State’s Office by calling the TDD (Telecommunications Device for the Deaf) number, 860/509-6191, or toll free TDD at 800/303-3161.

Registered voters who cannot vote in person due to physical disability may vote by absentee ballot. Applications for absentee ballots may be obtained from the office of the town clerk, either in person or by mail, through September 11. Completed absentee ballots must be returned to the town clerk’s office by 8 pm on Primary Day, September 12.

Republicans and Democrats each have a number of primaries throughout the state. A list of primaries filed with the Office of Secretary of the state will be available from the office and posted in the agency’s Web site, www.sots.po.state.ct.us, beginning September 12.

For further information about voting aids and assistance available to elderly, handicapped, disabled, and illiterate voters, contact your registrar of voters or town clerk at your local town hall, or the election division of the Secretary of the State’s Office at 860/509-6100 or toll-free at 800/540-3764.