Florida > The Florida Election Code > Voting Methods And Procedure

§ 101.715 Accessibility of polling places for people having a disability.

Overview of Statute

This statute states that all polling places have to be accessible by people with disabilities. The statute then goes on to identify the standards required at each polling place to comply with the Florida Americans With Disabilities Accessibility Implementation Act.

Statute

(1) All polling places must be accessible and usable by people with disabilities, as provided in this section.

(2) Only those polling places complying with the Florida Americans With Disabilities Accessibility Implementation Act, ss. 553.501–553.513, for all portions of the polling place or the structure in which it is located that voters traverse going to and from the polling place and during the voting process, regardless of the age or function of the building, shall be used for federal, state, and local elections.

(3) The selection of a polling site must ensure accessibility with respect to the following accessible elements, spaces, scope, and technical requirements: accessible route, space allowance and reach ranges, protruding objects, ground and floor surfaces, parking and passenger loading zones, curb ramps, ramps, stairs, elevators, platform lifts, doors, entrances, path of egress, controls and operating mechanisms, signage, and all other minimum requirements.

(4) Standards required at each polling place, regardless of the age of the building or function of the building, include:

(a) For polling places that provide parking spaces for voters, one or more signed accessible parking spaces for disabled persons.

(b) Signage identifying an accessible path of travel to the polling place if it differs from the primary route or entrance.

(d) Level, firm, stable, and slip-resistant surfaces.

(e) An unobstructed area for voting.

(f) Sufficient lighting along the accessible path of travel and within the polling place.

(5) The Department of State may adopt rules in accordance with s. 120.54 which are necessary to administer this section.

History:

s. 1, ch. 76-50; s. 16, ch. 2002-281.

1. Definition for Department

Definition [Department]

The Department of State. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(7).

2. Definition for Polling Place

Definition [Polling Place]

The building which contains the polling room where ballots are cast. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(27).

3. Definition for Person

Definition [Person]

An individual or a corporation, association, firm, partnership, joint venture, joint stock company, club, organization, estate, trust, business trust, syndicate, or other combination of individuals having collective capacity. The term includes a political party, affiliated party committee, or political committee. Fla. Stat. § 106.011(14).

4. Definition for Election

Definition [Election]

Any primary election, special primary election, special election, general election, or presidential preference primary election. Fla. Stat. § 97.021(12).