Harris County Settles DOJ Lawsuit Over Polling Locations That Violate the Americans With Disabilities Act

Style Magazine Newswire | 3/14/2019, 12:22 p.m.
Harris County has been facing a lawsuit by the U.S. Justice Department over polling stations that don’t comply with the …
HarrisCounty Joebeone

HoustonPublicMedia.Org

Harris County has been facing a lawsuit by the U.S. Justice Department over polling stations that don’t comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Now, the federal government is dropping the suit under a settlement with the county.

The Justice Department investigated Harris County polling locations in both 2014 and 2016. In each case, it found multiple sites with architectural barriers violating the ADA, ranging from steep curb ramps to locked gates. The settlement requires Harris County to re-survey all of its polling locations, in order to ensure the sites are accessible to voters with disabilities. According to the HPM, First Assistant County Attorney Robert Soard said Harris County and the Department of Justice will work together.

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