Sandoval County, Accessibility Violations, New Mexico 2024

Sandoval County, New Mexico, Forced to Fix Voting Accessibility

The Justice Department has reached a settlement with Sandoval County, New Mexico, over allegations that the county’s polling places were inaccessible to individuals with mobility and vision impairments. The agreement was reached under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which requires counties to ensure that polling places are accessible during elections.

According to the Justice Department, a survey of the county’s voting program identified several architectural barriers at polling places, including inaccessible parking, ramps that were too steep, and doorways with thresholds that were too high. The county is home to thirteen Pueblos and Tribal Entities, and one dozen County polling places are located on tribal lands.

Under the terms of the settlement, Sandoval County will begin remediating its voting program in time for its next election. The county will employ temporary measures, such as portable ramps, signage, and propped open doors, as well as certain permanent changes, such as paved parking and ramps. The county will also train its poll workers on the requirements of the ADA and how to use temporary measures to ensure each polling place is accessible during elections.

The Justice Department will monitor the county’s compliance with the agreement and provide technical assistance. Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband for the Civil Rights Division said, ‘This agreement reflects the Department’s continued commitment, through its ADA Voting Initiative, to ensuring that every eligible voter with a disability has an equal opportunity to vote in person at his or her local polling place.’

U.S. Attorney John C. Anderson added, ‘A disability should never stand as an impediment to a citizen exercising the fundamental right to vote in our democracy. This settlement ensures polling places in Sandoval County will be accessible to all eligible voters.’

The settlement is part of the Justice Department’s ADA Voting Initiative, which focuses on protecting the voting rights of individuals with disabilities. The initiative has surveyed more than 1,600 polling places and increased polling place accessibility in more than 35 jurisdictions.

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