Presidential Election 2020: Involving Citizens with Disabilities in the Voting Process
Voting with a Disability: Key Issues and Healthy Voting in the Times of COVID-19
No one truly understands the sheer size of this community, voter engagement specialist Jack Rosen shared with Healthline Media, speaking about the 38 million Americans with disabilities who are eligible to vote in the upcoming election. Healthline invited Rosen to shed light on the impact of the pandemic, accessible voting, and the essence of healthy voting for people with disabilities.
According to recent data from Rutgers University, more than one-fourth of the total US electorate either has a disability or shares a household with a person with a disability.
And with over 38 million Americans with disabilities set to cast their ballots in the upcoming elections, it's crucial to talk about the unique challenges they face and ensure their active participation in the democratic process.
In an online talk hosted by Healthline, Rosen discussed various electoral issues that impact people with disabilities, the influence of the pandemic, and ways to foster fair treatment within the voting process.
**What obstacles hinder people with disabilities when voting in the U.S.? And in what ways has the pandemic reshaped their priorities? Could we make voting a more inclusive process for all Americans affected by disabilities?
These were the questions that Rosen, voting rights specialist with the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN), answered for Healthline gathered around the virtual table.
**Healthy voting for people with disabilities means both acknowledging its positive effects on their overall well-being and giving them a voice in policies that directly affect their health*, Rosen emphasized.
With many Americans with disabilities having been isolated during the pandemic, Rosen highlighted the importance of voting as a means of connection and feeling a part of their community. "Many have been socially distanced and sheltering in place due to their own vulnerability to COVID-19, or restrictions on group homes, visitors, and family support," he explained.
However, it's not just about feelings and social connections; some of the issues at stake during the election directly impact the health of the electorate, Rosen added. "There are matters on presidential ballots that significantly impact the health conditions of people with disabilities, such as the Affordable Care Act, access to healthcare, social security, Veterans Administration benefits, and countless other programs that influence the health outcomes of people with disabilities."
While the pandemic has highlighted existing barriers and placed new challenges on voters with disabilities, advancements have also been made, particularly in accessible voting. The widespread adoption of mail-in voting and electronic voting has removed previously existing barriers, as well as streamlined the process for voters in some states. However, a key challenge remains: ensuring that mail-in ballots are accessible to blind or visually-impaired voters who may struggle with paper ballots.
Moreover, the fight for accessible voting is far from over. While the Voting Rights Act of 1965 outlawed literacy tests and allowed voters who were blind or had other disabilities to receive assistance, and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002 requires accessible voting systems in federal elections, there are still many polling places that lack the necessary features.
Pandemic-related concerns include poll worker shortages, polling station closures, and lockdowns in congregate settings that may limit voting access for those with disabilities. Overall, the ongoing health crisis has accelerated the sense of urgency and motivation among voters with disabilities who see themselves explicitly targeted by the term “pre-existing condition.”
To promote fairness and improve voter accessibility, it's essential to ensure all polling locations are physically accessible, provide electronic voting options, train poll workers to assist voters with disabilities effectively, and advocate for policies that uphold equal access and protections for voter secrecy.
Here are some etiquette tips for polling station volunteers supporting voters with disabilities:
- Don't assume someone with an intellectual disability can't vote.
- Don't question someone's need to use an accessible voting machine.
- Never offer to help someone fill out their ballot unless they request it. Voters with disabilities have the same right to vote privately as everyone else, and accessible equipment should be provided to ensure this right is protected.
Remember, if you encounter polling places that are not physically accessible on election day, report it to the election protection hotline at 866 OUR VOTE, or contact your state's Protection and Advocacy agency to let them know.
[^1]: Voting Rights Act of 1965 - Legislation outlawing discriminatory voting practices based on race, ethnicity, or literacy tests.
[^2]: Help America Vote Act (HAVA) of 2002 - Federal legislation that aims to improve the accessibility of elections for U.S. citizens with disabilities, as well as ensuring the accuracy and reliability of voting systems.
[^3]: Print Disabilities - Visual impairments that interfere with reading printed material, such as dyslexia, macular degeneration, and other eye conditions.
[^4]: Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance - Regulations designed to ensure equal opportunities for people with disabilities in various aspects of public life, including employment, transportation, and access to goods and services.
[^5]: Virginia - U.S. state experiencing challenges in ensuring polling locations are ADA compliant and providing accessible voting equipment to accommodate people with disabilities.
- The National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) addresses the obstacles faced by Americans with disabilities when voting, which include physical accessibility, electronic voting options, and effective assistance from poll workers.
- The Health-and-wellness impact of voting extends beyond social connections for people with disabilities, as many issues on presidential ballots directly affect their health, such as the Affordable Care Act, access to healthcare, and social security benefits.
- In this era of pandemic and general news, the mental health implications of isolation for people with disabilities are significant, making voting a vital means of re-establishing connections within their communities. However, new challenges, such as poll worker shortages and lockdowns in congregate settings, have exacerbated the struggle to ensure voting access for those with disabilities.
