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This was an out-of-court investigation initiated by the United States Department of Justice Attorney’s Office (DOJ) into the Board of Voter Registration and Elections for Anderson County pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). During the June 2018 primary elections, the DOJ reviewed 15 polling places in Anderson County and concluded that many were inaccessible to voters who had mobility impairments.
The parties entered into a settlement agreement on November 9, 2018. The Board agreed to ensure that every polling site was accessible to people with disabilities by elections starting in 2019. The Board also agreed to provide training to all precinct coordinators on how to install and maintain any temporary measures needed to increase accessibility, such as wheelchair ramps, cones to designate accessible parking, or the placement of mats over thresholds. On Election Day and during early-voting periods, the Board was required to maintain all facilities and equipment necessary to make polling locations accessible in working order—including lifts, elevators, and ramps. If the Board failed to properly implement temporary remedial measures in two consecutive elections, or if permanent remediations were not made at a given polling place, the Board agreed to cease use the location to relocate to a more accessible location. The agreement was to remain in effect for three years, and it terminated in 2021.
Summary Authors
Simran Takhar (11/11/2023)
Last updated Aug. 30, 2023, 1:32 p.m.
Docket sheet not available via the Clearinghouse.State / Territory: South Carolina
Case Type(s):
Key Dates
Closing Date: Nov. 9, 2021
Case Ongoing: No
Plaintiffs
Plaintiff Description:
The United States Department of Justice Attorney's Office
Plaintiff Type(s):
U.S. Dept of Justice plaintiff
Attorney Organizations:
U.S. Dept. of Justice Civil Rights Division
Public Interest Lawyer: Yes
Filed Pro Se: No
Class Action Sought: No
Class Action Outcome: Not sought
Defendants
Board of Voter Registration and Elections for Anderson County, County
Defendant Type(s):
Case Details
Causes of Action:
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), 42 U.S.C. §§ 12111 et seq.
Special Case Type(s):
Available Documents:
Outcome
Prevailing Party: Plaintiff
Nature of Relief:
Injunction / Injunctive-like Settlement
Source of Relief:
Form of Settlement:
Order Duration: 2018 - 2021
Issues
General:
Disability and Disability Rights:
Voting:
Voting: Physical/Effective Access
Discrimination-basis: