ABSTRACT
A central tenet to the work of Secretaries charged with overseeing elections is promoting and enabling access to the political process. Indeed, there are several groups of eligible voters who are uniquely situated and may require particular attention and proactive effort to ensure they enjoy equal access to the ballot box. One community of citizens who may encounter unique barriers when voting is that of citizens with limited English proficiency (LEP). Another community of citizens who may benefit from accommodations when voting is citizens with disabilities. As with LEP citizens and citizens with physical disabilities, there are some federal statutory mandates in place to ensure states recognize and accommodate these uniquely situated voters. Under the Federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) of 1986 all states and territories must provide mechanisms for US citizens living or serving abroad to register and vote in elections for federal office by mail.
