Polling Place Accessibility

Polling Place Accessibility

UPDATE: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - For some, casting a vote is as easy as entering and exiting a polling location.

But for others, its not that easy.

"I cannot imagine having difficulty getting into a building, I mean that's got to be so annoying," said Mary Helmbrecht, Meridian Township Clerk.

While most locations are accessible to those who are wheelchair bound, there was a change to precinct two back in 2008 for the election.

"Haslett middle school we normally used the library, and for the bigger election, they allowed us to use the one of the gyms," said Helmbrecht

But the gym wasn't wheel chair accessible from the south entrance, so the township applied for the Polling Place Accessibility Grant in 2009, to make a ramp so that all voters could enter from this location.

"In 2009 the department awarded more than $22 hundred dollars to Meridian Township. And that helped with two projects, the main one being a 10 foot ramp to help make Haslett middle school more accessible to voters," said Fred Woodhams, Communications Manager of the Michigan Secretary of State.

The grant has been helping other areas like Meridian Township since it was established.

"We've awarded more than a million dollars more than 100 communities throughout the state of Michigan," said Woodhams.

Although it may seem like a small change, it gives disabled residents a chance to cast their ballot.


ORIGINAL STORY: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Find out which precinct was upgraded to be accessible for all voters on Meridian Magazine.

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