A lawsuit filed in Wisconsin alleges that voters with disabilities should have the option to cast their ballots electronically, similar to military and overseas voters. This lack of accessibility is deemed discriminatory and unconstitutional by the lawsuit. Absentee ballots have been a contentious issue in the battleground state, where past elections have been decided by narrow margins. The lawsuit also challenges a ruling that limited who could return absentee ballots, arguing that people with disabilities should be able to receive assistance in mailing or delivering their ballots.
The case was filed against the Wisconsin Elections Commission by four voters, Disability Rights Wisconsin, and the League of Women Voters. According to the lawsuit, electronic voting is necessary to comply with various state and federal laws related to accommodation and equal access. Providing electronic voting options would ensure that people with disabilities are treated fairly and able to vote independently. The lawsuit cites that the current paper ballot system makes it difficult for many individuals with disabilities to cast their votes without assistance, highlighting the need for electronic voting as a solution.
The plaintiffs in the lawsuit include individuals who are blind, have cerebral palsy, or spinal muscular atrophy, all of whom are unable to vote absentee privately and independently. The lawsuit argues that the lack of electronic absentee voting for people with disabilities violates multiple constitutional laws, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and the federal Rehabilitation Act. It emphasizes the importance of ensuring equal access to all voters, regardless of their disabilities, and highlights the barriers that many people with disabilities face in the current absentee voting system.
People with disabilities represent a significant portion of the U.S. adult population and have been disproportionately affected by restrictive voting laws passed in many Republican-led states. These laws often impose limitations on the assistance a voter with disabilities can receive and whether someone else can return their mailed ballot. The lawsuit in Wisconsin underscores the importance of addressing these systemic barriers and ensuring that all voters, including those with disabilities, have equal access to the ballot box.
The lawsuit calls attention to the need for electronic voting options as a way to provide people with disabilities the opportunity to vote independently and privately. By advocating for equal access and accommodation, the lawsuit seeks to address longstanding challenges faced by individuals with disabilities when it comes to voting. The plaintiffs are seeking to uphold their rights under state and federal laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act, to ensure that all voters are able to exercise their right to vote without discrimination.
The case in Wisconsin sheds light on the ongoing battle for voting rights and accessibility for people with disabilities across the country. By challenging the current absentee voting system and advocating for electronic voting options, the lawsuit aims to promote inclusivity and equal access for all voters. It underscores the importance of addressing systemic barriers and discrimination faced by individuals with disabilities in the electoral process, and highlights the need for comprehensive reforms to ensure that everyone can exercise their right to vote independently and privately.
