Enhancing digital accessibility for voters: How accessible websites can impact elections?

“Equal access to online voting information empowers individuals with disabilities to engage fully in civic life and makes our democracy stronger.”

“Accessible elections ensure the voices of all Americans, including those with disabilities, are heard and counted.”

Democracy is made by and for the citizens of nations, and thus, it is their right to have a chance to participate in every election held to choose their leaders.

They say, Change is the only constant. And it occurs everywhere including the election process. Modern election processes are completely distinct from the orthodox procedures. Now, in this digital era, technology is a crucial part of elections. Thus, ensuring that every voter can access relevant information and resources is vital for a democratic process.

The accessibility of online resources has become a game-changer in U.S. elections, empowering millions (approx. 61 million adults) of voters with disabilities. From voter registration websites to digital ballots, web accessibility has transformed the level of engagement of American citizens.

Read the article to learn more about the integrity and inclusiveness of elections in the digital landscape.

Importance of digital accessibility in the U.S. elections!

The disability community in the U.S. is incredibly diverse, encompassing individuals of various ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, about 1 in 4 adults live with some form of disability.

These demographics highlight the urgent need for accessible voting information to ensure every citizen can fully participate in elections.

Digital accessibility refers to designing websites, applications, and digital content in a way that allows people with disabilities to engage with them effectively. This can involve screen reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, text resizing options, color contrast adjustments, and more.

In the U.S., voters increasingly rely on online platforms to find information about registration, polling places, candidates, and ballot measures. As such, inaccessible websites can exclude a significant portion of the electorate, including people with visual, auditory, cognitive, and motor impairments.

Impact of accessible websites in the U.S. elections!

• Increasing voter turnout among people with disabilities

  Historically, voter turnout among people with disabilities has lagged behind the general population in the 2020 U.S. election. Wherein 61% of people with disabilities voted, compared to 67% of people without disabilities. Many individuals with disabilities face physical barriers in accessing polling places, but digital barriers such as inaccessible websites, also play a significant role in their less participation. By ensuring that election websites are fully accessible, electoral bodies can help close this turnout gap.

• Enhancing informed decision making

  Accessible websites allow voters with disabilities to independently access vital information about candidates, ballot measures, and voting procedures. This leads to more informed decision-making, as voters can read about issues, compare candidates, and participate in the political conversation just as easily as those without disabilities. When voters with disabilities can fully understand their choices, they are more empowered to make informed decisions at the ballot box.

• Boosting accessibility in voter registration

  Many states offer online voter registration systems, but these systems are not always accessible. Inaccessible forms can prevent people with visual or cognitive disabilities from successfully registering. Features such as clearly labelled form fields, text alternatives for images, and error notifications that are easy to understand can make the registration process more inclusive. Improving the accessibility of voter registration websites is critical to ensuring that all eligible Americans can participate in the democratic process.

• Making voting methods more equitable

  In the U.S., methods such as in-person voting, or mail-in voting are available in elections. These options present different challenges for voters with disabilities if the voting website or place is inaccessible. Accessible websites can play a pivotal role by allowing voters with disabilities to request a mail-in ballot, find accessible polling locations, or utilize curbside voting services. When voters with disabilities can easily access all necessary information online, it gives them the flexibility to choose the voting method that best fits their needs, they can vote conveniently.

• Closing the racial and economic voting gap

  Accessible websites are not only supporting voters with disabilities but also address broader demographic disparities. People with disabilities are more likely to be part of low-income communities, and they often have less access to reliable information about voting. A few minorities encounter language barriers while accessing election websites. By ensuring that these websites are accessible and available in multiple languages, governments can help reduce these inequalities and boost participation among historically marginalized communities.

Legal obligations for digital accessibility in U.S. elections

In the United States, there are legal standards that mandate digital accessibility for government websites. Key regulations include:

• The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

  This law requires public entities, including government websites, to provide equal access to services for individuals with disabilities. Election websites and online voting platforms fall under this mandate.

• Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act

  This law requires federal agencies to make their electronic and information technology accessible to people with disabilities. While it primarily applies to federal sites, many state and local government election websites are also bound by its guidelines.

• HAVA (Help America Vote Act)

  This act was approved by the United States Congress in 2002 to take over the nation’s voting process and make effective reforms. HAVA created some crucial and mandatory standards for states to make the election process streamlined. The law also provides funding to states so that they can meet these standards’ expectations.

  States ought to implement a few programs and procedures such as,

  • Updated and upgraded voting equipment
  • Provisional voting
  • Accessible voting information
  • Voter identification procedures
  • Statewide voter registration database
  • Administrative complaint procedures

• VAEHA (Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act)

  The act says, there should be permanent accessible and easily available registration facilities and voting aids for elderly and handicapped people.

• NVRA (National Voter Registration Act)

  The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 has its unique requirements with respect to elections for federal offices.

  Each State is required to include a voter registration form thereby applicants can easily apply for voting elections.

  Non-compliance with these regulations can lead to lawsuits and penalties, but more importantly, it can disenfranchise millions of voters, ensuring digital accessibility not only helps to avoid legal challenges but also upholds the principles of fairness and inclusivity.

Key features of an accessible election website

To meet the diverse needs of U.S. voters, election websites must implement accessibility best practices in line with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Some essential features include:

• Websites must provide text alternatives for all non-text content, ensuring that screen readers can interpret images, charts, and videos for visually impaired users.
• Keyboard-friendly navigation is required for individuals relying on keyboard inputs instead of a mouse.
• Online voter registration and absentee ballot request forms should be fully accessible, with clear labeling, instructions, and easy-to-use input fields.
• The website should offer options to adjust text size and contrast to accommodate voters with low vision.
• Providing content in multiple languages helps non-English speaking voters to understand the required content and vote easily.

Usage of assistive technologies with election sites!

Assistive technology plays a crucial role in making U.S. election sites accessible to all voters, particularly those with disabilities. The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) mandates that every polling place must have at least one accessible voting system for individuals with disabilities, ensuring they can vote privately and independently. This includes devices like audio ballots for the visually impaired, touchscreen voting machines with large text, and sip-and-puff devices for voters with limited motor skills. Additionally, many states have adopted accessible absentee voting options, allowing individuals with disabilities to vote from home using assistive technologies.

At many polling stations, accessible voting machines are equipped with features like tactile controls, audio instructions, and screen magnification to aid those with visual impairments. The integration of these tools promotes inclusivity and ensures equal access to the democratic process.

The future of digital accessibility in the U.S. election!

As the U.S. electorate becomes more diverse and reliant on digital platforms, the future of voting depends on ensuring that all voters can access information and services online. Investing in accessible election websites will be crucial to building a more inclusive democratic process. Government agencies, advocacy groups, and web developers must collaborate to prioritize digital accessibility, continually auditing and improving their platforms to ensure they meet the needs of all U.S. voters.

By ensuring that election websites are accessible, the U.S. can increase voter turnout, enhance trust in the electoral system, and ensure that the democratic process is reflective of the voices of all citizens, regardless of their abilities. Accessible digital platforms will not only help to eliminate barriers but also make elections more transparent, efficient, and representative.

Election websites play a crucial role in providing important information to voters, but they must be accessible to all, including individuals with disabilities. The All in One Accessibility widget offers a simple, effective solution to enhance user-friendliness of websites for people with vision, hearing, motor, or cognitive impairments. By integrating this tool, election websites can enhance inclusivity, allowing everyone to participate in the democratic process without barriers. With customizable features and enhanced compliance with accessibility standards, All in One Accessibility promotes fair access to vital election resources. Reach out [email protected] for more information.