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WHAT IS PAVA? The Protection and Advocacy for Voter Access (PAVA) was created by the federal Help America Vote Act, which was signed into law in 2002. HAVA requires states to ensure the following voting rights for people with disabilities: • Accessible polling places • Accessible ballots • Accessible voting equipment • Independence and privacy

while voting • Protection and advocacy

systems to ensure HAVA compliance

• Assistance to people with disabilities at voting polls

WHAT DOES PAVA DO? Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access (PAVA) is provided through Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid’s Minnesota Disability Law Center in order to provide the following resources and education for people with disabilities to access the right to vote: • Information on HAVA

legislation • Resources on current election

laws • Information on how to register

to vote • Information on how to vote • Information on eligibility

requirements for voting • Training and education on

HAVA and election laws • Advocacy to implement HAVA

and other voting rights

WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS AS A VOTER WITH A DISABILITY? • You have the right to vote • You have the right to access

your local polling place • You have the right to cast a

secret ballot • You have the right to request

assistance with marking and casting your ballot

• You have the right to cast an absentee ballot

VOTING AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS In Minnesota, only a court may decide that an individual is not competent to vote. Persons assisting voters may not in any way try to influence the voter’s choices. Persons assisting voters must not mark the ballot if the voter cannot communicate his or her intent.

WHAT IF YOUR VOTING RIGHTS HAVE BEEN VIOLATED? You may file a complaint through the Office of the Secretary of State: 180 State Office Building St. Paul, MN 55155 651-215-1440

-OR- Contact the Minnesota Disability Law Center: 430 First Avenue North Suite 300 Minneapolis, MN 55401 612-332-1441 1-800-292-4150 Intake Hours: Monday through Friday 9:30 – 11:30 am and 1:30 – 3:30 pm New Client Intake: 612-334-5970 Toll Free: 1-800-292-4150 TDD: 612-332-4668

PROTECTION

AND ADVOCACY

FOR VOTER ACCESS

(PAVA)

A Project of Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid’s Minnesota Disability Law Center

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