SEPTEMBER 20, 2005

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land today announced that four Macomb County communities will receive a total of more than $30,000 to improve polling place access for voters with disabilities.

Statewide, nearly $400,000 will be distributed under the first grant award phase of Michigan's "Improving Access for All" program. The funds will reimburse communities for their precinct enhancement projects. The Macomb awards are the first to be finalized.

Shelby Township Clerk Terri Kowal joined Land in the announcement.

"The concept of one person, one vote is the foundation of our democracy," said Land, Michigan's chief election officer. "Too often, members of the disability community face barriers to voting because of the physical condition of some precincts.

"While Michigan communities want to do the right thing, efforts to improve their polling places are often hampered by limited budgets. This program eases that burden by reimbursing our local partners for making the upgrades. I'm pleased with the enthusiastic assistance of Terri Kowal and other Macomb County leaders, as well as Michigan's disability community. Their unyielding commitment to fairness ensures access for all."

The Macomb communities are:

• The city of Eastpointe - $5,581
• The city of New Baltimore - $3,199
• Shelby Township - $19,821
• Washington Township - $1,650

"It is very reassuring to see the cooperation between the school district, local government and the state government to provide a safe, accessible voting location for everyone," Kowal said. "We thank Secretary Land, who is once again a leader in providing the means to accomplish the very best for our residents."

The funds will help communities meet the basic requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to Elmer L. Cerano, executive director of Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service Inc.

"We have been working with the Secretary's office and local clerks for the past two years to help identify polling places that are inaccessible to voters with disabilities," Cerano said. "The grants awarded today ensure that voters with disabilities will have the same opportunity to participate in the electoral process that other voters have. We applaud Secretary Land for putting these grants into action and hope that the benefiting communities will work with the disability community to ensure continued cooperation."

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is making more than $982,000 available to Michigan for precinct accessibility improvements. The remaining funds will be awarded in two more rounds later this year.

Communities applied to the Department of State following a 2004 survey of their precinct accessibility needs. Michigan Protection & Advocacy Service volunteers worked with local election officials to coordinate the surveys. Communities meeting the eligibility requirements received awards on a first-come, first-served basis. They will be reimbursed upon completing the projects.

Most of the work involves improvements to parking spaces, passenger drop-off areas, interior and exterior paths of travel, building entrances and voting areas.

Related Items:
> Map: Municipalities in Macomb County receiving grants (PDF)
> Poster: Macomb County Grants more details (PDF)
> Chart: Macomb County Grants all details (PDF)
> Photo Gallery 1: Access for All