“Vote as if your Life Depends on it…Because it Does”. Since we’re in an election year, I thought it was important to spotlight some voting basics to try and help ease the fear people with disabilities may have about voting. Justin Dart, who is considered the father of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 made this important statement many years ago. This idea is more important now than ever before.
There is basic information many people should know about voting. The first thing to know is the difference between the primary and general elections. Primaries are held to determine a political party’s candidate for the general election. During the general election, the final nominee, and their running mate, if applicable, are the ones voters are choosing when casting their ballots.
There are also many laws in place to prevent discrimination of people with disabilities and protect their right to vote. These laws have also helped increase the accessibility of voting for people with disabilities. The laws include the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA), Voting Rights Act of 1965, The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 (VAEHA), The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (NVRA), and the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA).
Each state has voter registration deadlines and mail-in ballot request deadlines. Make sure your voter registration is up to date and that you have requested your absentee ballot, if that’s your preferred method of voting, with plenty of time to have it mailed to your address. These are two important steps you need to take to participate in the voting process. It’s important to make sure you request your ballot before the deadline expires. If you decide to change your political party, it’s important to follow the local Supervisor of Elections procedure to do so.  Complete this step with enough time so you can cast your ballot. If you don’t meet the timeframes your Supervisors of Elections has established, you won’t be able to vote until the next election cycle.
People with disabilities can sometimes find voting intimidating. Maybe you’re concerned about how a poll worker will react if you ask for help. They are trained and there to help. Whether it’s because of barriers such as voter accessibility at the polls, long lines or even the current pandemic, every attempt should be made by voters with disabilities to have their ballot counted. Some people think their vote won’t make a difference but in reality, every vote counts.
Even local elections are important. When we have problems accessing services in our community, local government officials can be a source of support and guidance. Depending on the situation you’re facing, they may be the first place to turn. They can be a resource that should be tapped into more than is currently the case. Some people only vote in November because they feel it’s the only election that matters. Primaries are also important because in some cases, those elections are the only ones that have to happen to determine the next candidate that will hold a particular office.
People with disabilities should let their voices be heard and vote for many reasons. This election year, getting out to vote is extremely important. The results will have long term implications on this country. It’s time for people with disabilities to take an active role in the political process of this country and vote. The choices you make will impact the lives of many and make up the America of the future.