Accessibility statement

The standard we target

We build to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines version 2.2, level AA. That is a target we hold ourselves to continuously, not a certification we claim.

What that means here

• Every page works with JavaScript turned off. Nothing essential depends on a script.
• The first focusable item on every page is a skip link to the main content.
• All content is reachable and operable with a keyboard alone, and focus is always visible.
• The related-reference banner and the masthead do not cover the focused element.
• Normal text meets a contrast ratio of at least 4.5 to 1, and meaningful controls and graphics meet at least 3 to 1.
• Status, verification, and warning states are carried by text and shape, never by color alone.
• Layout reflows without horizontal scrolling down to a 320 pixel viewport, and text remains usable at 200 percent zoom.
• Tables have captions and header cells, and wide tables scroll inside their own container rather than forcing the page sideways.
• Motion is limited and respects a reduced-motion preference. There is no autoplay, no carousel, no countdown, and no flashing content.
• Dates are written out in full, and any time is shown with its time zone.
• Links describe their destination, and outbound official links name the destination domain in text.

How this site is tested

• Keyboard-only navigation on every page type.
• Automated accessibility checks in continuous integration.
• Screen reader review, including NVDA on Windows and mobile screen readers.
• Zoom and reflow checks at 320, 390, 768, and 1440 pixel widths.
• Print output review for the voter guides, which keep official domains and verification dates on paper.

Known limits

• Screen reader review is performed on a limited set of software and version combinations, not on every combination in use.
• Official destinations are operated by government agencies and other parties. We check that a link works, but we do not control the accessibility of the destination.
• Payment checkout, if enabled, is hosted by Stripe and follows Stripe’s own accessibility practices.

Alternate formats

If a page is difficult to use, we will provide the content in another format, such as plain text or large print, at no cost. Ask through the accessibility contact below and tell us which format helps.

Reporting a barrier

Tell us the page address, what you were trying to do, and what got in the way, along with the assistive technology and browser you used if you know them. We treat a report of an accessibility barrier the same way we treat a factual error: it is triaged first, and it is fixed rather than explained away.