Chelan County Elections
Accessible Voting
Voters with Disabilities
As a voter with a disability, you can request a reasonable accommodation or assistance to vote. Our office is committed to ensuring accessibility at our Elections Office voting center in the Chelan County Courthouse and that you have the opportunity to vote privately and independently.
Counting your ballot
Accessible Voting for People with Disabilities
Accessibility for all
As required by the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA), Accessible Voting Units (AVUs) will be available at the Elections Office voting center in the Chelan County Courthouse. Voters who are visually impaired or have difficulty reading can listen to the entire ballot to facilitate independent voting. Other assistive devices are also available.
If you are unable to cast a ballot due to a disability, you may designate a person of your choice, or two election officers, to enter the voting booth and record the votes as you direct. A person who has a guardian may still be able to vote and should not be turned away from a voting center by an election worker. Guardianship papers indicate if an individual has the right to vote. If there is ever doubt about a person’s voting status, the person should be issued a provisional ballot to vote with.
February 11, 2025 Special Election
The Accessible Voting Units (AVUs) will be available at the Chelan County Elections Office, Level 3, Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., January 24 through February 10 and on Election Day, February 11, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Online Voters' Guide - coming soon
Local Voters' Pamphlet (Local Offices only) (PDF) - coming soon
Accessible Voting Unit (AVUs)
Accessible Voting Units (AVUs) are available starting 18 days before Election Day, until 8pm on Election Day. AVUs are wheelchair-accessible and screened from other voters to maintain privacy. An AVU presents your ballot on a monitor. You select choices by touching a screen, using a select wheel, or by using a tool. You can use head-phones to listen to the text and prompts on your ballot. The AVU can also be fitted with sip-and-puff tools.
- Voter Instruction - Accessible Voting on the Verity Voting System
- Verity Voting System - Frequently Asked Questions
Ballot drop box locations for February 11, 2025 Special Election:
| Chelan County Courthouse 350 Orondo Ave. Wenatchee, WA 98801 |
Indoor boxes: Monday - Friday |
| Wenatchee Public Library 310 Douglas St. Wenatchee, WA 98801 |
Outdoor Box: 24 Hours a day Drive-thru access |
| Leavenworth City Hall 700 Highway 2 Leavenworth, WA 98826 |
Outdoor Box: 24 Hours a day Drive-thru access |
| Manson Public Library 80 Wapato Way Manson, WA 98831 |
Outdoor Box: 24 Hours a day Walk up access. |
Contact us
For information regarding assistance with voter registration, voting, replacement ballots or accessibility issues, please contact the Election Department at (509) 667-6808.
Chelan County Accessible Community Advisory Committee (ACAC)
As of 2016, Chelan County Disability Advisory Committee established an Accessible Community Advisory Committee (ACAC) as authorized by the County Auditor. Through the Accessible Communities Act (Chapter 215, Laws of 2010), our county can promote greater awareness and accessibilty. The Act offers support for effective solutions and partnerships to engage the disability community, local government and organizations.
Purpose
The purpose of the Accessible Community Advisory Committee is to promote greater awareness of disability issues and to improve access for and inclusion and acceptance of persons with disabilities in Chelan County.
Responsibilities
Advise the Chelan County Board of County Commissioners on addressing the needs of persons with disabilities in emergency plans;
Advise the county and other local governments within the county on access to programs, services and activities, new construction or renovation projects, sidewalks, other pedestrian routes of travel, and disability parking enforcement;
Develop local initiatives and activities to promote greater awareness of disability issues, and acceptance, involvement, and access of persons with disabilities within the community;
Conduct public hearings and other investigations to determine the needs and priorities of county residents with disabilities;
Carry out other duties that the Chelan County Board of County Commissioners may request under the provisions of the State of Washington Accessible Communities Act (Chapter 215, Laws of 2010)
RCW 36.01.310
RCW 50.40.071
RCW 29A.46.260
Chelan and Douglas County Accessibility Advisory Committee 2015
Disability Advisory Committees are made up of people with disabilities, disability community advocates, and service providers. The committees provide county elections departments with input regarding reasonable accommodations that help ensure equal access so that all registered voters can vote independently and privately (RCW 29A.04.223).
- Minutes from meeting held on April 15, 2015
- Accessibility and outreach plan
ADA checklist for voting centers
Postage Program for the Visually Impaired
USPS has a special postage program for the Visually Impaired
Anyone who cannot see or use conventionally printed materials due to a physical impairment may qualify for this free postage program.
Mailing Free Matter for Persons Who are Blind or Visually Impaired
Other accessibility resources
- Accessibility on the Washington Secretary of State websites
- Disability Rights of Washington State
- National Disability Rights Network (NDRN)
- American Association of People with Disabilities (AADP) Disability Project Vote
- National Federation of the Blind (NFB) Voting and Accessibility Grant Program
- United States Access Board
- United States Election Assistance Commission
Posted: 09/21/2016 03:13 PM
Last Updated: 12/16/2024 10:32 AM