709 ASSISTANCE TO VOTERS AT THE POLLS

709.1 Any voter who requires assistance in voting may be given assistance by a person of the voter's choice.

709.2 The Board shall ensure that capable assistance shall be made available to any requesting voter at the polls.

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

709.4 A polling place official, a person of the voter's choice, or both, shall assist a voter upon the request of the voter and in accordance with the wishes of the voter.

709.5 The 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.

709.6 Assistance 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 physical disability, advanced age, handicap, or illiteracy.

709.7 No 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.

709.8 Written 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.

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

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 39 D.C. Reg. 2467, 2485-86 (April 10, 1992); and amended by Final Rulemaking published at 51 D.C. Reg. 7409 (July 30, 2004).