Empowering the Disability Vote

27 Oct Empowering the Disability Vote

As election day approaches, advocates across the country have been reminding our neighbors that the disability community has a lot to say. Despite the risks that COVID-19 bring to the upcoming election day, individuals with disabilities at New Hope and across the country are finding ways to vote safely. At New Hope, individuals were encouraged to vote early by mail. For some people though, voting in-person at the polls is more important. According to the US Election Assistance Commission, voters with disabilities make up about one sixth of the nation’s electorate. Just as any voter should, our friends with disabilities should know their rights as a voter.

As a voter with a disability, you have the right to:

Seek assistance from workers at the polling place who have been trained to use the accessible voting machine, or

Bring someone to help you vote

You may request your local election officials to tell you about any voting aids, voting assistance, and absentee ballot procedures that are available.

Ensure your right to accessible elections. For more information, contact the U.S. Election Assistance Commission By phone at 866-747-1471 or by email at listen@eac.gov.