Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate is providing a one-thousand dollar grant to every county in the state to improve voter access ahead of this year’s general election.
The grant is intended for counties to partner with local advocacy organizations and self-advocates to receive feedback on how polling places can be more accessible for Iowans with disabilities.
Approximately 300-thousand Iowans have a disability. Counties can use the grant to improve accessibility considerations and receive communication, etiquette, and sensitivity training to understand the perspective of voters with disabilities. Secretary Pate’s efforts to improve access for Iowans with disabilities have earned national recognition from the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and the National Association of Secretaries of State.
The deadline for counties to request the grant funds is August 31st, and the scope of the work must be completed by the November general election.
