Secretary of State James Condos announced that over $66,000 in grants were awarded to 11 municipalities to help them meet the mandates of the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) which was signed into law on October 29, 2002. HAVA provides opportunities for municipalities to improve the administration and access to elections in Vermont. As Vermont’ s chief election officer, the Secretary of State oversees this process.
This year, grants in amounts of up to $14,000 will be used by municipalities to improve accessibility to polling places used for the primary and general elections. Condos said, ‘ This round of grants is intended to help ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to polling places. Funds may be used for improvements such as paving parking areas, building ramps, and installing automatic doors.’
Condos added, ‘ We were pleased that the legislature permitted us to establish this grant program to help our municipalities cover some of the costs of the federal election reform mandates.’
2013 HAVA Accessibility Grants
Athens
9,994.00
Install ramp, relocate entrance
Barre City
5,000.00
Install ramp and improve entrance door
Danby
305.00
Install accessible door handles, temporary ramp
Grand Isle
3,684.28
Improvements to ramp, parking, door handles and threshold
Huntington
2,130.00
Paving
Marshfield
12,926.23
Handicapped parking, paved walkway, automatic door openers
Moretown
14,000.00
Install Ramp
Randolph
5,000.00
Install automatic door openers
Rutland City
5,000.00
Install sidewalks and sidewalk ramps
Strafford
5,000.00
Install wheelchair accessible path
Wolcott
3,937.57
Install handrails
TOTAL AWARDED
66,977.08
Vermont Office of the Secretary of State 3.15.2013