Disability Voters, Have You Voted Yet?

 

November 2, 2020 | by Amber Smock

Disability Voters, Have You Voted Yet?

Last Call to #CripTheVote

Today and tomorrow are extremely important days for disability voters nationwide. With at least one in five people in the US reporting as having a disability, the disability vote is a force to be reckoned with. With the national election finally formally taking place tomorrow, lots of people have voted already, but we know some of you still need to do it! Today’s resources are for those voting last minute for early voting (where it is still open) and for those voting tomorrow.

Illinois ONLY: Voters with Disabilities Helpline on Election Day

On Tuesday, November 3, 2020, Equip for Equality will have advocates available by telephone to answer questions about any voting problem voters with disabilities may experience. Folks should take this info with them to the polls or have it readily available on their phones:

  • Voice Telephone: 1 (800) 537-2632
  • TTY: 1(800) 610-2779
  • Text: (312) 826-0049 (Only available on 11/3/2020, and only for people who are deaf, hard of hearing or who have speech impairments)
  • E-mail: Voting@Equipforequality.org

Available from 6 am to 7 pm

Voting Nationally:

  • If you have a mail in ballot but have not sent it in, please consider taking it to an official drop box today or tomorrow; you can also drop it off at a polling place as well.
  • The American Association of People with Disabilities has put together their own voting resource webpage at this link.
  • The Autistic Self Advocacy Network has also put together a helpful page on voting at this link.

Access Living’s Voting Page: Access Living staff also put together a resource page for voters with disabilities at this link. If you still haven’t voted, double check your options for voting early or at the polls.

Voter’s Voice: Also, check out this amazing opinion piece by Alice Wong, for her personal view on why voting and political engagement is more important for many disability voters than ever before.

Tracking the Vote Tomorrow: Multiple outlets will report the election results as they come in tomorrow, but for those of you looking for state by state results and for results at the local level, your local newspapers will often be running vote tallies. Be sure to check your local paper’s websites to see if they will be tracking votes as they come in.

Most of All, Try to Relax: Tensions are very high in many communities as we await the results of our national election. We encourage people to take time away from social media, find calling things to do, connect with friends, whatever helps you get through the day. Take care of yourself because we need you.

Many thanks to the folks who have already voted. If you have not yet voted, please do what you can to make sure your vote is counted tomorrow!