REV UP MA and the Disability Law Center are looking for volunteers willing to testify about the importance of polling place accessibility and on experiences with accessibility barriers when voting in person during a hearing at the State House next Wednesday, September 13th @ 1pm. Participants will have the option of testifying in person in State House room A1 and virtually through Microsoft Teams. 

Volunteers will be testifying in support of H. 701  – An Act Enforcing accessibility for voters with disabilities, a standalone bill which is also part 4 of the Voting Access Act. The Act requires the Secretary of the Commonwealth to arrange inspection of all polling places and early voting sites at least once every four years, to ensure compliance with federal and state disability accessibility laws. 

Please let DLC know if you are willing and able to join us in testifying at the hearing. Notify Ealmedalopez@DLC-MA.org or TPritchard@DLC-MA.org. To register to testify virtually, you must provide contact information through this on-line testimony form by 4:00 PM on Monday, September 11, 2023. Individuals and groups testifying in person are also encouraged to register online.

Written testimony may be submitted by Friday, September 22, 2023, to the Joint Committee on Election Laws at 24 Beacon Street, Room 445, Boston, MA 02133, or by email to colleen.bellotti@mahouse.gov and mark.sternman@masenate.gov. 

Testifying about your own experience with in-person voting accessibility issues will ensure that your voices are heard when it comes to the ongoing fight for equality at the polls for all in Massachusetts. Thanks to each of you for all of your efforts to make voting in Massachusetts accessible for all.