0505-0165859-992337.docx WHAT IS PAVA? The Protection and Advocacy for Voter Access (PAVA) was created by the federal Help America Vote Act, which was signed into law in 2002. HAVA requires states to ensure the following voting rights for people with disabilities: • Accessible polling places • Accessible ballots • Accessible voting equipment • Independence and privacy while voting • Protection and advocacy systems to ensure HAVA compliance • Assistance to people with disabilities at voting polls WHAT DOES PAVA DO? Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access (PAVA) is provided through Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid’s Minnesota Disability Law Center in order to provide the following resources and education for people with disabilities to access the right to vote: • Information on HAVA legislation • Resources on current election laws • Information on how to register to vote • Information on how to vote • Information on eligibility requirements for voting • Training and education on HAVA and election laws • Advocacy to implement HAVA and other voting rights WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS AS A VOTER WITH A DISABILITY? • You have the right to vote • You have the right to access your local polling place • You have the right to cast a secret ballot • You have the right to request assistance with marking and casting your ballot • You have the right to cast an absentee ballot VOTING AND COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS In Minnesota, only a court may decide that an individual is not competent to vote. Persons assisting voters may not in any way try to influence the voter’s choices. Persons assisting voters must not mark the ballot if the voter cannot communicate his or her intent.