{"id":351501,"date":"2020-03-17T09:36:42","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T14:36:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/voting\/my-voting-guide\/can-someone-help-me-vote.html"},"modified":"2024-02-22T00:07:59","modified_gmt":"2024-02-22T05:07:59","slug":"can-someone-help-me-vote","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/voting\/my-voting-guide\/can-someone-help-me-vote.html","title":{"rendered":"Can Someone Help Me Vote?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Can Someone Help Me Vote?\u00a0<\/h1>\n
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\n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

Gain insights into the regulations that ensure voting accommodations for people with disabilities, limited English proficiency, and U.S. citizens residing abroad. This article sheds light on how to protect your right to vote through the inclusive electoral process.<\/i><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Federal law dictates that during federal elections, all polling places must be accessible<\/a> to disabled voters or else provide some alternative way to cast a ballot. The law also says that voters with disabilities and those with limited English skills can get help voting from someone of their choosing.
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That means if a voter has trouble reading or English is a second language, they can bring someone to help them vote \u2014 as long as that person is not the voter’s employer or associated with a labor union the voter might belong to.<\/p>\r\n

Is Voting Mandatory in the U.S.?<\/h2>\r\n

The right to vote is one of the fundamental rights safeguarded by the U.S. Constitution. It offers eligible U.S. citizens the chance to participate in the electoral process. However, the law does not compel U.S. citizens to exercise this right. Be it federal, local, or state elections.<\/p>\r\n

Voting ID Requirements<\/h2>\r\n

Each state has its own rules when it comes to voter identification requirements.<\/p>\r\n

In 2002, the Congress enacted the Help America Vote Act (HAVA)<\/a>. The Act covers various matters related to elections. In particular, it sets voter ID requirements in certain instances. For instance, first-time voter registrants should provide either the last four digits of their Social Security number or their driver’s license at registration. If the voter cannot produce either of these identification forms, they should show confirmation of identity at the polling place when they vote.<\/p>\r\n

Types of Acceptable Identification<\/h2>\r\n

Below are documents<\/a> that you can use to verify your identity at polling places in different states.<\/p>\r\n