Churches Dont Have to Be Accessible. Thats Bad News For Voters. Mother Jones [Video]

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Eli. Underwood likes the experience of voting in person, but they now have to vote by mail. Underwood went to a Detroit church to cast a ballot in the 2022 general elections, but chronic health conditions meant the two flights of stairs to the basement taxed them badly; living with Long Covid as well, Underwood was frustrated by the unventilated space and unmasked poll workers. 

“It caused me great physical pain and anxiety, which made me angry and sad,” Underwood said. “It communicated to me that my vote doesn’t matter and I shouldn’t bother.” Extreme fatigue, pain, nausea, and headaches followed. 

Polling locations are supposed to be accessible to all voters, including disabled and aging ones. But nearly one in five polling locationsin the United States is a church, and religious entities are exempt from the Americans with Disabilities …