This bill amends sections 3-1-34 and 3-3-10 of the Code of West Virginia to improve voting accessibility for disabled voters. Key provisions include allowing voters who cannot physically sign their names to have their mark affixed by a poll clerk, and enabling registered voters to present a range of valid identification documents, including expired ones for those aged 65 and older. The bill also permits a registered voter to be accompanied by an adult who can sign an affidavit affirming their identity if they lack valid identification. Additionally, voters residing in state-licensed care facilities are exempt from presenting identification when voting. The bill deletes certain provisions regarding challenges to voters receiving assistance and inserts new language to clarify the responsibilities of election officials in assisting voters.

Moreover, the bill aims to eliminate barriers for disabled voters voting absentee by mail by removing the requirement that a person receiving assistance must be unable to read the ballot due to illiteracy or unable to see or mark it due to physical disability. It also modifies the grounds for challenges to absentee ballots, specifically removing provisions that allowed challenges based on the qualifications of the person receiving assistance. The bill updates the numbering of provisions related to absentee ballot challenges for clarity and emphasizes that no challenges can be made against an absentee ballot if the voter was registered and qualified to vote. Overall, the bill seeks to create a more inclusive voting process for individuals with disabilities.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 3-1-34, 3-3-10