Max Engling – Republican
Candidate for Secretary of State
Question 1: If elected Secretary of State, what specific actions will you take to ensure that eligible voters with intellectual and developmental disabilities have the supports and accommodations necessary to participate fully in elections?
Response: I would build upon Indiana’s strong protections for voting accessibility. Specifically – include direct information in the pollworker training resources that we will develop and make available for clerks to use, include ADA and accessibility information in public voting awareness campaigns, and ensure timely responses to claims as they pertain to the Secretary of State’s office.
Question 2: As Secretary of State, what strategies would you use to ensure that eligible voters with physical disabilities and those with blind or low vision are able to participate fully in elections
Response: With the law already requiring accessible voting machines and locations, it is most important to ensure clerks and county elections administrators have the training tools, and resources to implement the law and have it be well understood by all poll workers.: Strong dialogue between the Secretary of State’s office and the Clerk’s Association and associations representing those with disabilities is important to ensure full understanding of what is required.
Question 3: If elected, how would your office respond if a voter with a disability reports that they were unable to vote because of an accessibility barrier?
Response: It is incumbent on the Secretary of State’s office to respond quickly, thoughtfully, and in a way that allows for the voter to complete their vote during the allotted time. Having a close relationship with individual county clerks is an important piece of the equation, as most complaints and solutions will go to, and be resolved by, the county election officials.
Question 4: Do you support the use of mail-in ballots and early voting as an accommodation for those with disabilities? Why or why not?
Response: Yes. I support the use of absentee-by-mail and early voting as accommodations for eligible voters with disabilities. Indiana law already recognizes disability as a valid reason to vote absentee by mail, and Indiana provides in-person early voting beginning 28 days before Election Day. Voters with disabilities who are unable to vote in person may also use a traveling board.