RAAV Poll Worker Training Project
Training poll workers on disability, accessibility, and accommodations

Amanda Beals,
Paraquad

Melanie Bull,
Tennessee Disability Coalition
Project Overview

Problem: People with disabilities continue to face barriers on Election Day

Cause: Poll worker knowledge of accessibility and disability accommodation is lacking

Solution: Work with voters and election administrators to develop and pilot improved poll worker training materials and best practices
Voter Experience Surveys
•	Phone Survey of 1,200 voters with disabilities in Missouri and Tennessee

•	Major Findings:
•	Polling places continue to be inaccessible
•	Voters feel that poll workers do not know enough about available accommodations
•	Voters feel that poll workers are uncomfortable with and not knowledgeable about accessible voting equipment

County Clerk Interviews
•	Interviewed 10 County Clerks from Missouri
•	Observations:
•	Most common poll worker training is PowerPoint and lecture
•	Average amount of time allowed for training is 1 ½ to 2 hours
•	Many Clerks opposed to collecting formal evaluations
•	Lack of funding prevents County Clerks from making some improvements

County Clerk Interviews
•	Interviewed 10 County Clerks from Missouri
•	Needs Expressed by Administrators
•	Poll worker retention of information
•	Interactive, hands-on trainings are well-received but hard to implement
•	Checklists and visual aids 
•	Need More Workers
•	Accessible signage and placement of signage

What We Know about 
Training Adults
•	Use Mixed Methods

•	Adults Learn More by Participating

•	Distribute Handouts
•	Route Maps-Clear Objectives

•	Repeat and Reinforce

Training Focus Areas
•	Voting Machine Use

•	Polling Places-Accessible Set-Up

•	Accommodations: Curbside Voting

Paraquad and 
Tennessee Disability Coalition
•	Election Day Job Aid
•	“Election Day Picture Guide”
•	Modeled After St. Louis City’s Guide
•	Step by step picture guide focused on:
•	Polling Place Set-Up
•	Using Accessible Voting Machine Features
•	Curbside Voting
•	Available at Polling Places on Election Day

CHALLENGES
•	Training Time Constraints
•	Financial Constraints
•	Confusion with ADA Guidelines
•	Limited Evaluation Techniques
General Findings
•	Poll workers find it helpful to have variety of training methodology

•	Election Day Picture Guide was well received and used by poll workers

Election Day Picture Guides
•	51% Used Picture Guide

•	90% Guide was Helpful

•	Picture Guide Uses
•	Voting Machines: 47%
•	Polling Place Set-Up: 36%
•	Curbside Voting: 13%
•	Other: 4%

If you only take 3 things away with you today…
•	Consider training based on teaching workers how to use job aids 

•	Work with community members, disability groups year round

•	Train poll workers on how to use accessibility features of voting equipment, not just set up.. follow up with job aid
Regarding Polling Place Accessibility…
•	Keep yourself and staff up to date on ADA, HAVA

•	Troubleshoot accessibility issues well before Election

For Continued Growth and Improvement…
•	Create and utilize networking opportunities

•	Evaluate yourself, your staff, and poll workers

More information..
•	Handout is available to give more detail on recommendations and resources for who to contact 

Amanda Beals
Paraquad, Inc. 
abeals@paraquad.org
314.289.4301

Melanie Bull
Tennessee Disability Coalition
melanie_b@tndisability.org
865.607.9042