The Voting Section enforces the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 (VAEHA), which requires accessible polling places in elections for federal office for elderly individuals and persons with disabilities, 52 U.S.C. §§ 20101 to 20107. Where no accessible location is available to serve as a polling place, voters must be provided an alternative means of voting on Election Day.

When a United States Attorney’s Office receives a complaint or other information regarding a potential VAEHA violation, that office should forward the complaint or other information to the Voting Section as soon as practicable. The Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division retains final authority to determine whether a civil rights investigation should be opened; a complaint should be filed; or, in most instances (see JM 8-2.100 and 28 C.F.R. §§ 0.160 to 0.164), a case should be settled, and on what terms. The Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division may delegate this authority to subordinate Civil Rights Division officials and United States Attorneys, where appropriate. The United States Attorney’s Office and the Voting Section may work together, as appropriate, on these investigations and any resulting litigation. Division of responsibilities is determined on a case-by-case basis.

[updated December 2022]