Spokane, Wash. – Although accessible and independent voting for all Americans is federally mandated by the Help America Vote Act (HAVA), there are many who still experience issues when they go to the polls, especially Americans with disabilities, and especially in rural areas. Ahead of the fifteenth anniversary of HAVA, the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC) will come together with state and local election officials and the Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) to hear feedback from people with disabilities about voting in rural America at the 23rd annual APRIL Conference on Saturday, October 21, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. PT.
Four hundred people with different disabilities will be in attendance and invited to share their voting experiences, including registering to vote, casting a ballot, and interacting with election officials, and offer suggestions on how to improve the process. This direct input will be used to enhance services for voters with disabilities. Election technology manufacturers will also be present at the conference and offer trainings on their systems to familiarize attendees with their systems.
Photos are available upon request. Media are also invited to attend the conference. All media interested in attending must RSVP to Patrick Leahy at [email protected] or (202) 256-4291. Opening remarks begin at 9:00 a.m. and a town hall discussion, moderated by EAC Executive Director Brian Newby, will begin at 10:30 a.m.
WHAT:
Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living (APRIL) Conference
WHO:
Matthew Masterson, Chairman of the Election Assistance Commission
Christy McCormick, Commissioner of the Election Assistance Commission
Brian Newby, Executive Director of the Election Assistance Commission
Shannon Cortez, Washington State Deputy Director of Elections
Vicky Dalton, Spokane County Auditor
WHEN:
Saturday, October 21, 2017 from 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. PT
WHERE:
Davenport Grand Hotel, 333 W Spokane Falls Blvd
For more information about the APRIL conference, please contact Patrick Leahy at [email protected] or (202) 256-4291.