Vermont Launches Task Force to Expand Voter Accessibility

Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas and a voter accessibility task force are implementing measures to remove systemic barriers for marginalized populations before the November general election. The initiative focuses on providing resources for incarcerated individuals, people experiencing homelessness, survivors of domestic and sexual violence, and people with disabilities.

To address physical and logistical hurdles, the state is distributing a new voter guide and coordinating with the Vermont Department of Corrections to ensure incarcerated individuals receive mail-in ballots. Secretary Copeland Hanzas identified non-handicapped-accessible municipal buildings and a lack of transportation as primary obstacles, proposing a legislative push for a secure electronic voting system for municipal elections as a long-term solution.

In the healthcare sector, the Vermont Health Care Association issued guidance in September to clarify the rights of nursing home residents. This action followed a July memo from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that warned against coercing residents during voting, which officials feared might discourage staff from assisting residents with cognitive impairments. The guidance was developed with input from the state long-term care ombudsman at Vermont Legal Aid.