California Los Angeles County Voting Accessibility Challenge

Lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) against Los Angeles County challenging the county’s curbside voting program, polling places and voting centers as inaccessible to voters with disabilities in violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). The DOJ alleges that after completing a seven-year survey of voting centers in the county, they found 73 polling places and 106 voting centers were not accessible, often in buildings without accessible van parking or adequate ramps. The DOJ also alleges that there was no polling staff to identify or assist voters with disabilities who wanted to vote through the curbside voting program the county offered during the 2020 and 2022 elections. The DOJ argues that the county violated Title II of the ADA which requires all public programs, including voting programs, to be accessible to people with disabilities. The DOJ asks the court to find the county in violation of the ADA and to order the county to implement an ADA accessible voting program. 

The DOJ filed its complaint on June 29, 2023. Los Angeles County responded on Aug. 2, 2023.

RESULT: On Aug. 1, 2024, the DOJ and Los Angeles County reached a settlement agreement to end this lawsuit. As part of the settlement, the county will work with an independent accessibility expert to ensure voting centers are accessible to voters with disabilities.

Last updated: August 2, 2024 1:22 pm EST