Disability Rights Oregon Reopens Ballot Support Line Ahead of Midterms
With six days remaining until the Nov. 3 election, advocates are urging voters with disabilities to drop off ballots in person rather than mailing them to ensure timely delivery.
By Tyler Anderson ·
Disability Rights Oregon reopened its voter assistance hotline on Thursday as the state prepares for the Nov. 3 midterm election. The organization simultaneously launched a new website featuring plain-language guides and videos with closed captions and American Sign Language interpretation. These resources are designed to help voters with disabilities navigate the process of receiving, completing, and returning their ballots.
Tom Stenson, the group’s deputy legal director, noted that the hotline has been active during every election for many years. He and other staff members currently field the calls. Stenson said the most common inquiry involves confusion about legal rights. “The number one thing people call about is they don’t know what their rights are,” Stenson said.
Callers with blindness or low vision often ask if a helper can fill out their ballot. Stenson confirmed that a helper may complete the ballot but cannot sign it. He advised these voters to contact their county clerk to arrange for a computer tablet that reads ballot options aloud and allows for voice selection. Clerks can also provide these tablets in voters’ homes if necessary.
Voters experiencing a loss of mobility in an arm or hand frequently worry that their altered signature might lead to ballot rejection. Stenson explained that election security relies heavily on signature verification. He instructed these voters to contact their county elections office to register a name stamp or other mark as their official signature.
If county clerks fail to provide adequate assistance, Disability Rights Oregon will intervene. The group contacts the Secretary of State’s Elections Office and helps file formal complaints regarding inaccessible ballot boxes or barriers to submission.
Stenson reported that call volume is lower this year compared to recent cycles, though activity typically spikes in the week before an election. With only six days left, he advised every caller to deliver their ballot to a physical box instead of using the mail to avoid potential delays.
Source: Lake Oswego Review
