Overview: Protecting Voting Accessibility Across Minnesota
The Minnesota Disability Law Center’s Voter Access Project is seeking volunteers to survey polling locations during the upcoming elections. Learn how community members can help identify barriers and protect democracy for all voters.
With primary elections around the corner, advocates are working to ensure Minnesotans with disabilities can access the polls too.
The Voter Access Project of the Minnesota Disability Law Center (MDLC), a division of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid, along with the Minnesota Secretary of State’s office, is seeking volunteers to help spot barriers in voting.
“Our goal is to protect the constitutional rights of voters, ensuring everyone has a say in the democratic process, one of the most meaningful ways to participate in the community,” said Chad Wilson, MDLC attorney.
Volunteers are needed on primary election day, Tuesday, Aug. 11, and the general election, Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Volunteer requirements:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Complete volunteer training
- Adhere to guidance from MDLC on scope and purpose of project
- Conduct surveys at polls
- Spend 45 minutes to 1 hour at each polling site. (Volunteers may help at one or more sites
- Enter survey results into an online database.
On election days, volunteers are asked to bring a letter from MDLC authorizing the survey, a paper survey and a tape measure.
Interested volunteers can sign up through the MDLC portal