United States Reaches Settlement Agreement with Cobb County Board of Elections to Make Voting Accessible for People with Disabilities

ATLANTA - The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia has entered into a settlement agreement with the Cobb County Board of Elections to resolve a multi-year compliance review that identified physical barriers at many polling sites. Cobb County has agreed to make certain corrections in time for the November 2024 general election, and to conduct a systemic review and ensure accessibility for all future polling locations.

"During this election year, it is appropriate to remember that voting is a fundamental right and hallmark of our democracy; therefore, a person with a disability should have an equal opportunity to cast a ballot in person on Election Day," said U.S. Attorney Ryan K. Buchanan. "We applaud the commitment of the Cobb County Board of Elections to work closely with our office to ensure that citizens with disabilities in Cobb County can vote alongside their family, friends, and neighbors at their local precinct, and do so with the same ease and convenience as nondisabled voters."

From 2016 to 2024, the United States conducted a compliance review of Cobb County's polling sites and surveyed more than 50 polling locations through three election cycles. Based on these surveys, the United States found numerous polling sites with physical barriers. The Cobb County Board of Elections expressed its commitment to ensure all polling locations are accessible to people with disabilities and worked cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney's Office throughout the entire compliance review.

Under the terms of the Settlement Agreement, Cobb County Board of Elections will employ temporary measures to make polling places accessible for the November 2024 general election. They will also train their poll workers on the County's obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act and how to use the temporary measures on Election Day. Cobb County Board of Elections will also survey all remaining polling locations for accessibility throughout the term of the Agreement. When selecting future polling sites, the Cobb County Board of Elections will ensure that new locations are ADA accessible. The U.S. Attorney's Office will monitor the Agreement and provide technical assistance.

The case is being handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Marissa Fallica, Rahul Garabadu, and Aileen Bell Hughes.

For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney's Public Affairs Office at [email protected] or (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is http://www.justice.gov/usao-ndga.

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