United Spinal Association and others sent letters of protest to Florida’s Secretary of State after he had said that the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) would not have access to polling places in four Florida counties to assess how accessible and fair voting is for seniors and people with disabilities.

GAO is conducting this national study on the request of the Senate Special Committee on Aging. It has selected 100 polling places throughout the country — including four counties in Florida — in order to have a good representative sample of polling places. No other state had denied access to GAO for this study.

On October 24, Florida’s Secretary of State Curt Browning released a letter to Senator Bill Nelson of Florida assuring him that his office supports the efforts of GAO to study the important issue of access to voting by people with disabilities. Browning added that his office does not have the authority to grant GAO access for this study but he will encourage the four counties to consider granting access.

Paul Tobin, President and CEO of United Spinal Association, said “We are relieved that the State of Florida is no longer blocking this GAO study to assess voting accessibility. Americans with disabilities are entitled to exercise the most fundamental right of citizenship — the right to vote — just like all other American citizens.”