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How to Vote with a Disability in Maryland: Complete Guide to Accessible Voting Rights & Resources

October 29, 2025

Your vote is your voice, and every voice deserves to be heard. For Maryland voters with disabilities, accessible voting is about more than convenience—it’s about inclusion and self-determination. This guide covers what you need to know about voting access in Maryland, including your rights, available accommodations, accessible ballot options, and trusted election resources.

At Fello, we believe every person deserves the opportunity to participate fully in the decisions that shape their community.

Why Voting Matters for People with Disabilities

Your Voice Shapes Your World

Every decision made by elected officials affects the daily lives of people with disabilities—health care, transportation, disability services, housing, and more.

When you vote, you’re not just casting a ballot—you’re making sure your experience is seen, heard, and valued in the policies that shape your life and your community.

Turning Votes into Change

Voting shows what matters to communities. It determines how resources are allocated, rights are protected, how accessible public transit is funded, and how programs supporting independence and inclusion are maintained.

Your vote turns personal experience into public impact.

Visibility That Matters

When people with disabilities show up at the polls, it sends a powerful message—that accessibility, equity, and inclusion matter.

High turnout amplifies advocacy, helps break down systemic barriers, and reminds leaders that every voice counts.

Federal Protections & Rights for Voting with a Disability

Accessible voting in Maryland is built on a strong foundation of federal protections that ensure every voter can participate fully, privately, and independently.

These laws make it clear that accessibility isn’t optional—it’s a right.

The first major step came in 1984 with the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act (VAEHA). This law requires that all registration facilities and polling places for federal elections be accessible to people with disabilities. It also prevents states from asking voters with disabilities to provide medical proof in order to vote via absentee ballot—a critical step toward fairness and dignity at the ballot box.

In 2002, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) strengthened these protections. HAVA requires every polling place in federal elections to have at least one accessible voting system, like a ballot-marking device. These tools allow voters with disabilities to cast their ballots privately and independently, using features like audio guidance, large print, or alternative input methods.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Title II, extends these protections to all state and local government services, including elections. That means polling places must provide reasonable accommodations, like ramps, clear signage, and accessible layouts, so that every voter can enter, navigate, and cast their ballot without unnecessary barriers.

Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and other civil rights laws reinforce these protections by prohibiting discrimination in any program or activity that receives federal funding, including elections.

Together, these laws form the backbone of accessible voting in the United States, ensuring that people with disabilities have the same opportunity to participate in democracy as everyone else.

Take Action: Ready to make your voice heard? Federal law guarantees your right to accessible voting. Plan ahead by checking your voter registration or requesting a mail-in ballot to make sure your experience at the polls is smooth and empowering.

Maryland State Accessible Voting Laws & Policies

In Maryland, accessible voting isn’t just a priority—it’s the law. The Maryland State Board of Elections ensures that all early voting centers are fully accessible, and that every polling place offers an accessible ballot marking device (BMD). These devices include features like audio guidance, large print, high-contrast displays, and assistive input options, making it easier for voters with disabilities to cast their ballots independently and privately.

For voters with print disabilities, the state also provides an online accessible ballot marking tool. This tool allows voters to mark their ballots digitally, then print and mail them back, ensuring accessibility extends to those voting from home or remotely.

Voting Rights for People Under Guardianship

Maryland protects the voting rights of people under guardianship. A person can be disqualified from voting only if a court determines, by clear and convincing evidence, that they are unable to communicate a desire to vote—even with reasonable accommodations.

For example, a person who uses an assistive device or gestures to indicate their voting choices still retains their right to vote. Only if a court finds that a person cannot express their intent to participate in any way would that right be removed.

Continued Commitment to Access

Recent legislation, like the Accessible and Expedited Voting Act (SB 66), reinforces Maryland’s dedication to accessible voting. The law encourages local election boards to adopt procedures that make voting faster and more supportive for older adults and people with disabilities, ensuring that every Marylander has a fair and accessible opportunity to make their voice heard.

Accessible Voting Options in Maryland

Voting at the Polls

Every polling place and early voting center must provide a ballot marking device (BMD), like the ExpressVote system. These machines include a range of accessibility features: audio ballots through a headset, keypad navigation, high-contrast and large-print displays, adjustable screens, and support for assistive input devices like sip-and-puff systems.

Your Rights to Assistance

Voters may bring a trusted person—a friend, family member, or Direct Support Professional—to help mark their ballot. That helper signs a Voter Assistance Form, confirming they’re providing support, not influencing choices.

Accommodations at Polling Places

Election officials are required to provide reasonable accommodations such as ramps, seating, adjusted paths, and reachable voting equipment. Poll workers are trained to assist with BMDs and explain features like audio ballots or alternative input methods.

If Your Polling Place is Inaccessible

 If a polling place isn’t accessible, voters can request curbside voting, be reassigned to an alternate accessible location, or vote early or by mail.

Voting by Mail

Any registered voter can request a mail-in ballot. For people who find it difficult to mark a paper ballot, the state offers an online accessible ballot marking tool. This tool allows voters to make their selections electronically using assistive technology, print their completed ballot, and then return it just like any other mail-in ballot.

How to Request a Mail-in Ballot

Any registered Maryland voter can request a mail-in ballot, no special reason required. You can request one:

No medical certificate or proof of disability is ever required. Both Maryland law and federal law, including the VAEHA, protect this right.

Returning Your Mail-in Ballot

Once completed, mail-in ballots can be returned in one of three secure ways:

Ballots cannot be returned electronically by email or fax to ensure ballot security and consistency in the voting process.

Need Help Printing Your Ballot?

If you’re unable to print your ballot at home, contact your local board of elections as soon as possible—they may be able to mail you a pre-printed ballot or offer other accommodations. Since options vary by county, it’s best to reach out directly to confirm what’s available in your area.

Where to Find Official, Up-to-Date Voter Information

The Maryland State Board of Elections is the central hub for accessibility guidance, voter registration, polling place locations, and election tools. For additional state-level guidance on voting rights and accessible procedures, the U.S. Vote Foundation’s Maryland Voters with Disabilities Guide offers practical tips and instructions.

Disability Rights Maryland provides advocacy, resources, and a hotline to report any accessibility challenges at the polls. National hotlines like Election Protection (1-866-OUR-VOTE) are also available to help voters experiencing discrimination, malfunctioning equipment, or other issues.

For general election dates, deadlines, and candidate information, Vote411 Maryland and Ballotpedia are reliable, nonpartisan sources.

Finally, check your local county website for updates on polling place changes, email alerts, or newsletters from disability advocacy groups. These local notifications can help you plan ahead and ensure your vote is counted.

By using these resources, Maryland voters with disabilities can confidently navigate the voting process, knowing they have the tools and support needed.

Next Steps for Success on Election Day

Here’s what you can do right now to ensure success on election day:

  • Check your voter registration status at the Maryland State Board of Elections website
  • Request a mail-in ballot if voting from home is more accessible for you
  • Locate your polling place and confirm it has accessible features
  • Know your rights and don’t hesitate to ask for accommodations
  • Report problems by calling 1-866-OUR-VOTE if you experience barriers

If you or someone you know has a disability, use the tools and protections available — and insist on access. If you have any questions or concerns, reach out to Rylie Shewbridge, Director of Government Relations at rshewbridge@fello.org.

Stay Connected & Informed

Want to stay up to date on important legislative updates, disability rights, and community news? Connect with Fello:

Keep Advocating Beyond the Ballot

Voting is just one way to make your voice heard. Fello’s Living Boldly Self-Advocacy Group empowers people with disabilities to represent themselves, share ideas, and drive meaningful change. This public group is open to anyone with a disability—you don’t need to receive Fello services to participate.

Join the next Living Boldly meeting and continue shaping the communities you want to live in.