Madison Reporter

The City of Madison Clerk’s Office is informing voters about accessible voting options available for the upcoming election on April 1. The aim is to ensure all polling places are accessible and to provide assistance where needed.

All polling stations must meet accessibility standards. Poll workers will use an accessibility checklist to identify and resolve any barriers on election day. Additionally, a review of accessibility procedures is part of the poll opening process.

For those unable to enter polling places due to health or mobility issues, curbside voting is available. Voters can have someone inform poll workers that they wish to vote from their vehicle or call the Clerk’s Office at (608) 266-4601. Two poll workers will bring a ballot, marking pen, and secrecy sleeve to the voter at the curb. After marking the ballot, it will be returned inside by poll workers and inserted into a tabulator for counting.

If a voter cannot state their name and address, they may choose someone else to do so on their behalf. Voters who cannot sign the poll book due to disability should inform poll workers, as they are exempt from this requirement. Magnifying sheets and signature guides are available at every polling place, along with extra seating if required.

Each polling location is equipped with an ExpressVote ballot marking device that allows voters to make selections using a touchscreen or Braille keypad. This device offers large print, high contrast settings, headphones, and compatibility with sip & puff devices. Voters can verify their selections before printing their ballots and can feed them back into the ExpressVote for confirmation on how they are marked. Both hand-marked ballots and those marked by ExpressVote are counted using the same tabulator.

Voters may also select someone to assist in marking their ballot; however, this person cannot be an employer or labor union representative and does not need to be eligible to vote themselves. Poll workers will record the assistant's name and address, who must sign the ballot as well.

Voters are encouraged not to hesitate in asking poll workers for help during this process.