August 7, 2008

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land announced today that Vernon Township in Isabella County is receiving $12,921 to improve polling place access at the Vernon Township Hall.

Township officials will lower a stage used as a voting area so that it is level with the rest of the floor, improve sidewalks, passenger drop-off areas and parking areas, and update the building entrance to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

"We're pleased to award these funds to Vernon Township," said Land, Michigan's chief election officer. "Polling places must be accessible to all citizens, including voters with disabilities. This project ensures that every voter who wants to cast a ballot will have that opportunity, while easing the financial strain on communities that want to make improvements but may not have the budgetary resources to do so."

This money is awarded through Michigan's Improving Access for All program, which reimburses communities for precinct enhancement projects. Nearly $700,000 has been awarded to over 100 communities since Land unveiled the program in 2005. Past projects include sidewalk installation, upgrades to exterior pathways, accessible parking space signage and doorways that better accommodate voters with disabilities.

"Access to and within the Vernon Township Hall has been a concern of the board for a long time," said Jeffrey R. Bean, Vernon Township supervisor. "We appreciate receiving the grant, which will help us correct these problems."

The program is funded through the Help America Vote Act (HAVA). The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services makes the money available to states so that they may meet the basic requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Communities apply to the Department of State after completing a survey of their precinct accessibility needs. Volunteers with the Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service assist local election officials with the surveys.

"MPAS is pleased to see the state honoring its commitment to improve the accessibility of elections," said Tom Masseau, MPAS government and media relations director. "The removal of physical barriers is essential to ensuring that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to participate in the electoral process. We look forward to continued collaboration with local and state election officials as we work to improve access to the ballot for all Michigan citizens."

For more information, visit the Department of State Web site at www.Michigan.gov/sos. Click on "Elections in Michigan" and "Information for Election Administrators." The document is titled, "Polling Place Improvement Grant Program."