Every Vote Counts: Ensuring Access for All
At Philadelphia Corporation for Aging (PCA), we believe every voice matters. One of the most effective tools we have to create the community and the future we want is voting. For this reason, it is important to make sure that voting is made easy and accessible to all.
Across the country, many efforts are underway to make polling places welcoming and inclusive. Ramps, wide doorways, and voting machines that support people with different needs, including those who use wheelchairs or have low vision. For voters who prefer not to vote in person, mail-in ballots, early voting, or curbside voting offer safe and easy ways to vote in an election. All voters have the opportunity to contribute in the best way for them.
Laws also help protect the right to vote. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires polling places to be accessible, and the Help America Vote Act ensures each location has at least one accessible voting system. These protections help make sure that every voter can cast their ballot privately and independently.
Support is available for those who need it. State and local election offices can provide information about accessible polling places and how to request help. Organizations like the U.S Election Assistance Commission and the National Disability Rights Network also offer resources to guide voters through the process.
4 Tips for Accessible Voting:
- Know your voting options
- Learn about the Philadelphia County voting system
- Check your polling place accessibility
- Plan to use the Philly voting map
When everyone can vote, our communities become better, and each vote is a voice helping to build what’s next. We believe in equality and inclusion at PCA. Together, we can ensure that each person has a chance to vote and give input. Every vote matters. Every voice counts.
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