Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 24, June 14, 2024
Rule 3-713 - ASSISTANCE TO VOTERS713.1Any voter who requires assistance in voting may be given assistance by a person of the voter's choice, other than a poll watcher or election observer, the voter's employer or agent of that employer, or officer or agent of the voter's union.
713.2The Board shall ensure that capable assistance shall be made available to any requesting voter.
713.3The Board shall provide in each voting place one (1) or more election workers specifically trained to assist voters upon their request.
713.4Any person giving assistance shall assist only upon the request of the voter and in accordance with the wishes of the voter.
713.5The Site Coordinator shall ensure that a record is made of the provision of such assistance to the voter and the nature of the voter's need for assistance.
713.6Assistance provided to a voter may include, though not necessarily be limited to, the following:
(a) Marking the ballot in accordance with the voter's expressed wishes;(b) Reading the ballot to a voter whose vision is impaired or who cannot read;(c) Recording a write-in vote as designated by the voter; and(d) Completing any form for the voter.713.7No official providing voter assistance shall in any way influence or attempt to influence a voter's choice in voting, nor shall the official disclose to anyone how the voter voted.
713.8Written instructions on how to cast a ballot shall be available to all voters. A trained election worker shall also be available to explain how to cast a ballot.
713.9All voters shall have the opportunity, if desired, to mark a demonstration ballot prior to entering the voting booth.
Final Rulemaking published at 39 D.C. Reg. 2467, 2489-90 (April 10, 1992); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 51 D.C. Reg. 7414 (July 30, 2004) and 51 D.C. Reg. 2718 (March 12, 2004); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 56 D.C. Reg. 5753, 5756 (July 17, 2009); and as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 57 D.C. Reg. 4245, 4259 (May 14, 2010); as amended by Notice of Emergency and Federal Rulemaking published at 58 DCR 10752 (December 16, 2012)[EXPIRED];as amended by Notice of Final Rulemaking published at 58 DCR 941, 957 (February 10, 2012); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 62 DCR 14744 (11/13/2015); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 65 DCR 6543 (6/15/2018); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 69 DCR 9504 (7/29/2022); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 70 DCR 12730 (9/22/2023); amended by Final Rulemaking published at 70 DCR15793 (12/15/2023)Authority: The District of Columbia Board of Elections and Ethics, pursuant to the authority set forth in D.C. Official Code § 1-1001.05(a)(14) (2011 Repl.).