State Late With Special Voting Machines

In Oregon's case, the missed deadline was caused by a contract dispute with a supplier.

The President signed H.R. 3295, Help America Vote Act of 2002 October 29th of that year. The legislation authorized 3.9 billion dollars for improvements in state and local election systems. Photo Courtesy: whitehouse.gov

(PORTLAND AP) - The nation's only 100 percent vote-by-mail state -- yes, Oregon -- is in danger of violating federal law.

This, because it likely won't have voting machines designed for people with disabilities in place for the May primary.

Under the 2002 Help America Vote Act, states must have a machine in every polling place that allows disabled people to vote independently and privately.

According to electionline-dot-org, a nonpartisan election database, at least 21 other states also missed the January first deadline to offer the machines.

Federal officials haven't said what action they will take against states that violate the law.

Advocates for people with disabilities said they are disappointed by the delay.