Bill > H800

This bill establishes a new Polling Location Accessibility Fund designed to improve voting access for elderly and physically challenged voters. The fund will provide competitive grants to cities and towns to help them modify polling locations to remove physical barriers and obstacles that might impede voting for these populations. Specifically, the bill authorizes the state secretary to distribute funds that can be used for substantial alterations and remodeling of polling locations to better accommodate elderly and physically challenged residents. The fund will consist of appropriated state monies and any donated funds, and any unspent money at the end of a fiscal year will remain in the fund for future use rather than reverting to the general fund. The state treasurer will manage the fund to secure the highest available interest rate while maintaining immediate withdrawal capabilities. The grants will be awarded at the discretion of the state secretary based on published rules and regulations, with the broader goal of increasing electoral participation among elderly and physically challenged voters by addressing physical accessibility challenges at polling places.

Government Affairs

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H800