Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., said an amendment that passed the Senate today would help ensure that Wyoming and other rural states would receive funding to better meet the needs of disabled voters.

Enzi cosponsored an amendment, offered by Senator Susan Collins, R-Maine, to the Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act that would guarantee every state a minimum amount of $17.5 million in grant money to help them cover the costs of implementing new polling systems and to make the buildings that house those systems Americans with Disabilities Act compliant.

The Equal Protection of Voting Rights Act authorizes $3.5 billion in grants to help states meet the new requirements but did not specify how that funding would be distributed. Enzi said there was no guarantee that larger states wouldn't receive all of the money, leaving less populated states struggling to find ways to pay for implementing the new standards.

"Wyoming's disabled individuals must have the same meaningful opportunity as others to enter the voting booth and exercise their right to vote," said Enzi. "The money provided by this amendment will go a long way in helping Wyoming and other rural states meet the same important standards of polling place accessibility for everyone."

The amendment would guarantee each state that submits an acceptable application one half of one percent of the total grant funds. The state minimums would account for only 25 percent of the total appropriated grant funds and would be distributed over a five year period.