Voting Accessibility Complaint Process - Tri-Cities, WA

Elections and Campaign Finance Washington 3 Minutes Read · published February 10, 2026 Flag of Washington

Tri-Cities, Washington voters who experience barriers to voting — including inaccessible polling places, equipment failures, or denied assistance — can file a complaint with local election officials or the state. Start by contacting the Benton County Auditor, the Franklin County Auditor, or the Washington Secretary of State accessibility page for guidance and to report a problem.[1][2][3]

File complaints as soon as possible after the incident to preserve evidence.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement responsibility for polling-place accessibility in the Tri-Cities rests primarily with the county auditors who run elections; Benton County covers Kennewick and Richland, and Franklin County covers Pasco. The Washington Secretary of State provides statewide guidance and may refer systemic issues to state or federal agencies. For specific enforcement contacts, see the county and state election pages referenced above.[1][2][3]

  • Fines or monetary penalties: not specified on the cited page.
  • Escalation: first report typically triggers investigation by the county auditor; repeat or systemic violations may be elevated to the Secretary of State or federal agencies.
  • Enforcer: County Auditor offices (Benton and Franklin) and the Washington Secretary of State provide oversight and complaint intake.
  • Non-monetary remedies: orders to correct access problems, equipment replacement, procedural changes, and referral to state or federal enforcement (including ADA remedies).
  • Appeals and review: administrative review or referral paths vary by office; specific time limits for appeals are not specified on the cited pages and are handled per office procedures.
If physical barriers prevented you from voting, document the location, time, and witnesses immediately.

Applications & Forms

There is no single Tri-Cities municipal complaint form published for voting accessibility; complaints are submitted to the county auditor or through the Secretary of State's accessibility contacts. Specific forms for ADA complaints at federal or state level are handled by those agencies and may be required for escalated remedies.

How to File a Complaint

Follow these practical steps to report a voting accessibility issue in Tri-Cities, Washington.

  1. Note the date, time, polling place address, specific barrier, and any staff names or witnesses.
  2. Contact your county auditor: Benton County for Kennewick and Richland, or Franklin County for Pasco. Provide the incident details and request formal intake.
  3. If the county does not resolve the issue or for guidance, contact the Washington Secretary of State accessibility resources.
  4. Preserve evidence: photos, written statements, and any communication records; ask the county auditor how to submit supporting documents.
  5. If needed, request referral to state or federal enforcement (including ADA or Department of Justice) for systemic or unresolved violations.
County auditors operate polling places and handle most accessibility complaints in Washington.

FAQ

Who should I contact first about an inaccessible polling place in the Tri-Cities?
Contact the county auditor where the polling place is located: Benton County for Kennewick and Richland, Franklin County for Pasco, then the Washington Secretary of State for additional guidance.
Is there a deadline to file a voting accessibility complaint?
Timeliness is important to preserve evidence; specific filing deadlines are not specified on the cited pages and are determined by the receiving office's procedures.
Can I request alternative voting methods if the polling place is inaccessible?
Yes. Ask your county auditor about alternatives such as curbside or absentee voting options and accessible voting equipment available for voters with disabilities.

How-To

Step-by-step: file a voting accessibility complaint in Tri-Cities, Washington.

  1. Document the problem immediately at the polling place.
  2. Call or email the county auditor office and request to file an accessibility complaint.
  3. Submit any photos or witness statements to the auditor as instructed.
  4. If unresolved, contact the Washington Secretary of State accessibility office for escalation.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact the county auditor first for local resolution.
  • Document time, place, witnesses, and evidence when you report.
  • Escalate to the Secretary of State or federal agencies for systemic or unresolved issues.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Benton County Auditor - Elections
  2. [2] Franklin County Auditor - Elections
  3. [3] Washington Secretary of State - Accessibility

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