713 ASSISTANCE TO VOTERS

713.1 Any 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.713.2 The Board shall ensure that capable assistance shall be made available to any requesting voter.713.3 The Board shall provide in each voting place one (1) or more election workers specifically trained to assist voters upon their request.713.4 Any person giving assistance shall assist only upon the request of the voter and in accordance with the wishes of the voter.713.5 The Site Coordinator 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.713.6 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 any form for the voter.713.7 No official providing voter assistance shall in any way influence or attempt to influence a voter's choice in voting, nor shall the official disclose to anyone how the voter voted.713.8 Written instructions on how to cast a ballot shall be available to all voters. A trained election worker shall also be available to explain how to cast a ballot.713.9 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 DCR 2467, 2489-90 (April 10, 1992); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 51 DCR 7414 (July 30, 2004); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 51 DCR 2718 (March 12, 2004); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 56 DCR 5753, 5756 (July 17, 2009); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 57 DCR 4245, 4259 (May 14, 2010); as amended by Emergency and Proposed Rulemaking published at 58 DCR 10752 (December 16, 2012)[EXPIRED]; as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 58 DCR 941, 957 (February 10, 2012); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 62 DCR

14744 (November 13, 2015); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 65 DCR 6543 (June 15, 2018); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 69 DCR 009504 (July 29, 2022); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 70 DCR 012730 (September 22, 2023); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 70 DCR 015793 (December 15, 2023).