Source: Office of United States Attorneys
LAS VEGAS – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Nevada has entered into an agreement with the Clark County Election Department to resolve a compliance review that identified numerous physical barriers at polling sites. The agreement resolves the United States’ investigation into Clark County’s compliance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability by a state or local government in any of its programs or services. The agreement will be in place through the 2026 and 2028 election cycles.
“Voting is a fundamental right and the ADA guarantees that every person with a disability has an equal opportunity to exercise that right and cast their ballot in person and independently,” said Sue Fahami, First Assistant United States Attorney, District of Nevada. “We commend Clark County for its willingness to work collaboratively with the United States Attorney’s Office to achieve this goal.”
On June 11, 2024, during Nevada’s primary election, the United States made a compliance review of eight Clark County polling sites by conducting physical surveys. During the surveys, the United States found numerous physical barriers including missing van accessible parking and signage, steep ramps, abrupt level changes at walkways and entrance doors. In advance of the 2024 General Election, Clark County reviewed and made temporary adjustments to remedy the identified concerns.
Under the agreement, Clark County will also engage the technical assistance of an accessibility expert and use an evaluation form for each current and prospective polling place based on ADA architectural standards. The Clark County Election Department will also survey polling locations for accessibility throughout the term of the agreement. Additionally, when selecting future polling sites, Clark County will ensure that new locations are ADA accessible. The United States Attorney’s Office will monitor the agreement and provide technical assistance. Clark County will also train poll workers on the County’s obligations under the ADA.
The Clark County investigation is part of the Department of Justice’s ADA Voting Initiative, which focuses on protecting the voting rights of individuals with disabilities across the country. A hallmark of the ADA Voting Initiative is its collaboration with jurisdictions to increase accessibility at polling places.
The case is being handled by Assistant United States Attorney Ednin D. Martinez.
For more information on the ADA, please call the department’s toll-free ADA Information Line at 1-800-514-0301 (TTY 1-833-610-1264) or visit www.ada.gov. If you believe you have been discriminated against based on disability, please submit a report www.civilrights.justice.gov.
###