Detroit voters with disabilities raise concerns over unreliable voting machines

September 30, 2026

Visually impaired Detroit voters testified before City Council about chronic malfunctions of Voter Access Terminal (VAT) machines that prevent them from casting ballots independently and privately. Sabrina Rice, who has been blind for 14 years, reported trying three different machines over two hours during the August primary election without success, describing this as a recurring problem. Advocacy groups note that improper setup, inadequate poll worker training, and machine unreliability have plagued the system for years, with surveys showing 70% of users reporting VAT problems.

Who is affected

Sabrina Rice and other blind voters in Detroit
Richard Clay and members of Detroit Advocates of the Blind
Stephen Handschu and the broader blind community
Hundreds of individuals with disabilities who rely on VAT machines
Detroit Disability Power (advocacy organization conducting polling site surveys)
Detroit voters with various disabilities requiring assisted voting technology

What action is being taken

The Detroit Department of Elections dispatches teams to polling sites when VAT complaints are received to resolve issues or replace machines
Teams visit different polling locations on Election Day to ensure assisted voting is running smoothly
A specialist trained on VAT use is assigned to each city polling location
A dedicated Americans with Disabilities Act call center operates on Election Day to report VAT issues
Detroit Disability Power is conducting surveys of polling sites to document accessibility barriers

Why it matters

This represents a fundamental civil rights violation, as visually impaired and disabled citizens are being denied their right to vote independently and privately as guaranteed under federal law and the Americans with Disabilities Act. The inability to cast a secret ballot undermines the core democratic principle that all citizens should be able to vote without others knowing their choices. With hundreds of disabled voters affected and problems persisting across multiple election cycles, the situation threatens to disenfranchise a significant portion of Detroit's population and erodes public trust in the electoral process.

What's next

Council President James Tate pledged not to let the concerns pass by without action
Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero stated she wants to hear more about plans to facilitate training improvements and ensure enough working terminals are available
Council Member Denzel McCampbell emphasized it is "dire" to get the problem solved before the November general election
Multiple council members, including those on the Disability Task Force, indicated they are taking the concerns seriously and will pursue solutions

Read full article from source: bridgedetroit.com