New Report by disAbility Law Center of Virginia Finds Ongoing Accessibility Barriers at Virginia Polling Sites

Media Contact

Devin Coleman, Director of Development and External Relations
Devin.Coleman@dLCV.org | (804) 225-2042

RICHMOND, VA — The disAbility Law Center of Virginia (dLCV), the state’s designated Protection and Advocacy agency for individuals with disabilities, has released a new report examining accessibility at polling locations during the November 2025 General Election.

The report is based on accessibility surveys conducted by dLCV volunteers at 47 polling sites across 17 Virginia cities and counties. While many polling locations met basic accessibility standards, the findings reveal ongoing barriers that continue to limit equal access to voting for Virginians with disabilities.

Read The Full Comprehensive Report

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“Voting is a fundamental right, and every Virginian deserves equal access to participate in our democracy,” said Devin Coleman, Director of Development & External Relations at dLCV.

“While progress has been made, this report shows that too many barriers still exist for voters with disabilities. Accessibility cannot be treated as optional or secondary—it must be a priority in every election.”

Key Findings Include:

Curbside Voting: 16% of volunteers reported unclear or insufficient curbside voting signage. Some locations lacked visible contact information for assistance, while others had accessible parking spaces blocked.
Accessible Parking: 16% of surveyed locations did not provide accessible parking closest to the entrance. In some cases, only street parking was available without designated accessible spaces.
Entrance and Pathway Issues: 7% of polling sites did not provide an accessible entrance as the primary entrance for voters. Additionally, 11% lacked a smooth and clear pathway from parking areas to the entrance.
Interior Accessibility and Voting Equipment: While 92% of locations had accessible voting machines available, only 79% of poll workers surveyed knew how to operate the equipment. Just 64% of sites had signage informing voters how to request assistance.
Disability Etiquette Concerns: For the first time, dLCV included questions related to disability etiquette. While many surveyors reported positive interactions, at least one volunteer documented poll workers responding unkindly when assistance was requested.
Legal Violations: Multiple polling locations were found to be out of compliance with state and federal accessibility requirements, including Virginia Code § 24.2-649.1.

Recommendations made by dLCV to the Virginia Department of Elections include:

Improve curbside voting signage and clearly display contact information for assistance.
Strengthen poll worker training on accessible voting equipment.
Ensure voting equipment and voting stations are fully accessible, including adjustable-height tables.
Improve accessible parking access and ensure spaces remain unobstructed.
Provide consistent signage informing voters of their right to request assistance.
Prioritize long-term polling place accessibility year-round, not solely on Election Day.

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“Many of the findings and recommendations in this report are not new,” Coleman added. “dLCV has raised several of these concerns in previous years, and it is concerning that some barriers still persist. We urge the Virginia Department of Elections to continue strengthening accessibility efforts, so every Virginian can vote independently and with dignity.”

You may read the Virginia Department of Elections’ response here.

About the disAbility Law Center of Virginia (dLCV):

The dLCV is the Commonwealth’s Protection and Advocacy Program, tasked with providing a wide range of services to Virginians with disabilities. dLCV’s is to advance independence, choice and self-determination; protect legal, human and civil rights; and eliminate abuse, neglect and discrimination of people with disabilities through zealous and uncompromising legal advocacy and representation.