|
||||||||
| Home | Contact Us | Press Releases | County Clerk | Related Links | FOIA | FAQs | ||||||||
|
|
Language AssistanceSignage/ballotsThe Clerk’s office is required to provide language assistance in Spanish under amendments to the Federal Voting Act of 1992. All posters, ballots and voting instructions are bilingual (English/Spanish). Bilingual election judgesThe Clerk’s office makes an effort to assign bilingual election judges in as many precincts as we can to accomodate Spanish-speaking voters who are not proficient in English and may need special assistance at the polls. Language hotlinesIf a voter is confused or needs language assistance, the voter or an election judge can also call our Spanish hotline. A bilingual staffer at the Clerk’s office will provide assistance over the phone. Voters may also call these hotlines prior to Election Day. Touch-screen language optionsEach touch-screen machine is equipped with ballots in English and Spanish, allowing the voter to select a language on the touch screen before voting. In addition, any voter may request an audio ballot, which allows the voter to listen to the ballot using a headset that is connected to a touch-screen machine. Audio ballots are available in English and Spanish, and may be particularly helpful to voters with limited reading skills. Disabled AssistancePre-Election Day ServicesAbsentee voting for voters with disabilities - For voters who are permanently physically disabled and unable to make it to the polling place. Nursing home voting - For nursing home residents. Hospitalized voters - For voters who enter the hospital five days or less before an election. Disabled Access UnitsThe Help America Vote Act (HAVA) requires that election authorities throughout the country have voting equipment in place for voters with disabilities to vote privately and independently. Every polling place in Kane County has at least one disabled access unit. The disable access unit is an ADA compliant booth that accomadates voters in wheelchairs. Disabled access units provide audio in English and Spanish to accomodate voters who are blind, severely visually impaired, or have trouble reading. The units also have jelly switches to accomodate voters with mobility issues. Voting assistanceIf you have difficulty marking an optical scan ballot or making selections on the touch screen, you may request assistance from a friend, relative or two election judges (one from each party) in your precinct. Under state law, both the voter and the individual(s) providing assistance must sign a legal affidavit at the polling place. Handicapped AccessibilityAll Kane County precincts are accessible to disabled voters, outfitted with ramps, level entrances and/or elevators. |