Month: November 2016

Today is the last day Americans can vote for their choice of president for the next four years.

Sign Language information about voting day

Are you registered to vote in Texas?

If you live in Texas, you need to have registered to vote 30 days before the election, and the deadline to register was Oct. 11.

Don’t know if you registered to vote? Check here. Use the menu to select your option. The easiest option to locate if you registered may be providing:

• your first and last name,
• the county in which you live,
• and your birth date.

Accessible polls

Registered Texas voters with disabilities should have access to vote.

Using sign language interpreters during voting

Individuals may bring their own sign language interpreters and they may assist with the process, but should not influence voting.

“Voters who cannot speak English, or who communicate only with sign language, may use an interpreter to help them communicate with election officials, regardless of whether the election official(s) attending to the voter can speak the same language as the voter. The voter may select any person other than the voter’s employer, an agent of the voter’s employer, or an officer or agent of a labor union to which the voter belongs. If the voter cannot read the languages on the ballot, the interpreter may also assist by translating the language on the ballot for the voter in the voting booth.’

If you don’t have an interpreter

“If the voter is deaf and does not have a sign language interpreter who can accompany them to help communicate with the poll worker or read the ballot, the voter should contact his or her local election officials before the election and request assistance. NOTE: This is a change in prior law, due to Court Orders issued on August 12 and 30, 2016,” according to the Vote Texas website.

“Tell the election official if you are a voter who needs help to vote. You do not have to provide proof of your disability. Voters are entitled to receive assistance if they:

• Cannot read or write; or
• Have a physical disability that prevents them from reading or marking the ballot; or
• Cannot speak English, or communicate only with sign language, and want assistance in communicating with election officials.”

There are more requirements for voting access for Texans with disabilities here.

Voters in other states

Not from Texas? Learn more about how to vote in your state here.

Disability Voter’s Guide

The RespectAbility report has prepared a Voter’s Guide regarding disability issues.

Learning Election Results

According to the Texas Secretary of State’s Twitter log, “Election Night results will be at https://enrpages.sos.state.tx.us/  Numbers are added after 7 pm CT. #votetexas .”