Polling places for state elections must be accessible to voters, including people with disabilities and elderly voters, and must meet specific access requirements for parking, routes, ramps, entrances, and interior travel. Municipalities may adopt paragraph I on an optional basis.
Every polling place in which state elections are held shall be easily accessible to all persons, including persons with disabilities and elderly persons who are otherwise qualified to vote in the choice of any officer or officers to be elected or upon any question submitted at such election. In order for a polling place to be considered accessible to elderly persons and to persons with physical disabilities, the following conditions shall be met; provided, however, that the provisions of paragraph I may be adopted by each municipality on an optional basis: I. Where parking is provided for the polling place, there shall be at least one van-accessible parking space that is in compliance with the New Hampshire building code, RSA 155-A, and with standards implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 28 C.F.R. part 36 and designated with the international symbol of accessibility. The van-accessible parking space shall be at least 8 feet wide with an adjacent and parallel access aisle that is at least 8 feet wide and located on a level surface as close as possible to the accessible entrance. There shall be a clear path of travel without curbs or steps to the accessible entrance of the polling place from the van-accessible parking. II. The paths of travel to and from the polling place shall comply with the accessible route requirements of the New Hampshire building code, RSA 155-A, and with standards implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 28 C.F.R. part 36. III. If there is a curb in a path of travel to the accessible entrance to the polling place, there shall be a curb ramp that complies with the New Hampshire building code, RSA 155-A, and with standards implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 28 C.F.R. part 36. IV. Where a ramp is provided, the ramp shall comply with the New Hampshire building code, RSA 155-A, and with standards implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 28 C.F.R. part 36. V. Entrances, doors, and doorways shall comply with the New Hampshire building code, RSA 155-A, with standards implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 28 C.F.R. part 36, and with the following requirements: (a) There shall be at least one primary entrance to the polling place accessible to elderly persons and persons with disabilities and clearly marked with the international symbol of accessibility. (b) If there are entrances that are not accessible, they shall have signs posted directing voters to the accessible entrance. VI. The path of travel in the interior of the polling place shall comply with the accessible route requirements of the New Hampshire building code, RSA 155-A, and with standards implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 28 C.F.R. part 36. Source: Source. 1987, 210:2. 2007, 312:2, eff. Sept. 1, 2008.