Section 3-710. ASSISTANCE TO VOTERS

 

710.1Any voter who requires assistance in voting may be given assistance by a person of the voter’s choice, other than a poll watcher or election observer, the voter’s employer or agent of that employer, or officer or agent of the voter’s union.

 

710.2The Board shall ensure that capable assistance shall be made available to any requesting voter.

 

710.3The Board shall provide in each early voting center and precinct one (1) or more polling place officials specifically trained to assist voters upon their request.

 

710.4Any person giving assistance shall assist only upon the request of the voter and in accordance with the wishes of the voter.

 

710.5The Precinct Captain shall ensure that a record is made of the provision of such assistance to the voter and the nature of the voter’s need for assistance.

 

710.6Assistance provided to a voter may include, though not necessarily be limited to, the following:

 

(a)Marking the ballot in accordance with the voter’s expressed wishes;

 

(b)Reading the ballot to a voter whose vision is impaired or who cannot read;

 

(c)Recording a write-in vote as designated by the voter; and

 

(d)Completing a form for the voter who cannot do so because of disability, advanced age, or illiteracy.

 

710.7No person or official providing voter assistance shall in any way influence or attempt to influence a voter’s choice in voting, nor shall the person or official disclose to anyone how the voter voted.  Any person who violates this section may, upon conviction, be subject to a $10,000 fine or imprisonment up to five years, or both, pursuant to D.C. Official Code § 1-1001.14(a).

 

710.8Written instructions on the operation of the voting process shall be available to all voters. A trained polling place official shall also be available to explain the voting process.

 

710.9All voters shall have the opportunity, if desired, to mark a demonstration ballot prior to entering the voting booth.

 

 

authority

The District of Columbia Election Code of 1955, approved August 12, 1955, as amended (69 Stat. 699; D.C. Official Code § 1-1001.05(a)(14) (2014 Repl.)).

source

Final Rulemaking published at 39 DCR 2467, 2480 (April 10, 1992); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 51 DCR 7403 (July 30, 2004); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 56 DCR 5753-55 (July 17, 2009); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 57 DCR 4245, 4248 (May 14, 2010); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 62 DCR 14744 (November 13, 2015).