Civil Rights
Nov. 12, 2026
From hanging chads to digital divides: The next battle over ballot access
A federal court's ruling that California's vote-by-mail system discriminates against voters with print disabilities sets up a clash between ballot accessibility and election security.
Steven G. Churchwell
Of Counsel
Buchalter APC
Email: schurchwell@buchalter.com
University of Tennessee COL; Knoxville TN
Steve is former general counsel for the California Fair Political Practices Commission. He has served as counsel to state and local initiative and referendum campaigns since 1988.
I will admit up front to being ambivalent about the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). My favorite hamburger place in Sacramento, Ford's, closed in 2012 after being sued by a "serial" ADA plaintiff and attorney. (The restrooms did not have enough space to turn around in a wheelchair.) The family owners could not afford the required changes to their small diner across from Land Park.
On the other hand, we as a society should, of course, do everything in our power t...
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