The U.S. Department of Justice has accused Los Angeles County of repeatedly failing to allow voters with disabilities to enter and vote at polling places and vote centers during recent elections.

in a federal complaint It has been submitted On Thursday, the department claimed the county routinely violated the rules. Americans with Disabilities Act And there was a danger of disenfranchising Angelenos, who is visually impaired and has motor disabilities.

Since 2016, the Department of Justice has regularly inspected the county. polling place The same applies to ballot boxes during elections, according to the complaint. Each time, it said it found locations that did not meet the standards set by the ADA.

Prosecutors said that despite federal authorities pointing out shortcomings in the county, local authorities failed to correct them, repeatedly hindering residents’ ability to vote. Problems include a lack of accessible van parking and steep ramps with no handrails.

“Voting is a fundamental right and we will do everything in our power to ensure that voting is not restricted or denied to anyone in our community,” said Athi. Martin Estrada said in a statement. “Through this lawsuit, we demand that the County of Los Angeles give people with disabilities the same opportunities to participate in the county’s voting programs as are offered to people without disabilities.”

The lawsuit cites one wheelchair-using voter (referred only to as “DG”) who said he had trouble getting to a polling place at the Chatsworth Seniors Home during the August 2019 special election. there is

“Throughout the voting process, none of the voting staff or polling station officials ever assisted DG in curbside voting,” the complaint states. “The Directorate General reported that it was disappointed and frustrated with her treatment at the polling station and felt as if she had lost the freedom to vote independently and personally like everyone else.”

The department sought a court order requiring counties to comply with the ADA and develop plans to remediate the violations within one month.

The county, which generally declines to comment on the ongoing lawsuit, has issued a statement that it has disputed the allegations and has worked with voters with disabilities to design the county’s voting services.

County officials said they had been working with the Justice Department since last month to resolve flaws and avoid litigation, but talks were “abruptly abandoned.”

“Despite our good faith efforts to reach an agreement towards a reasonable settlement, we are dismayed by this action. media release It does not reflect the voting model or service offerings provided by Los Angeles County,” County Registrar Dean Logan said in a statement. “Nevertheless, we remain committed to addressing accessibility issues in a fair and effective manner.”