The week of September 11-5 is Disability Voter Week, a special week to encourage disabled voters to vote and to increase awareness of their options to participate in the election process.
Did you know: "If people with disabilities voted at the same rate as people without disabilities who have the same demographic characteristics, there would be about 2 million more voters?
- Source: "Disability and Voter Turnout in the 2022 Elections, Supplemental Analysis of Census Voter Turnout Data, Lisa Schur, Douglas Kruse, Mason Ameri
Disabled Voters Rights
Disabled voters experience the same rights as non-disabled voters, plus these extra rights that are protected by federal law.
- The right to accessible voter registration
- The right to accessible polling places
- The right to accessible, available, and operational voting machines
- Protections against discrimination due to a disability
- The right to vote privately and independently or with assistance, if needed
- The right for a service animal to accompany you in the polling place
- The right to assistance from a person of your choice or a poll worker (except a boss, union agent, or candidate unless they are family)
How Can Disabled Voters Vote
Disabled voters have many ways to cast their vote for elections including
- Voting in-person in their polling place on Election Day
- Voting in-person at a vote center on Election Day
- Voting in-person at an Early Voting Center
- Voting via Vote by Mail
- Voting in-person curbside at their polling place on Election Day
In addition, the McLean County Clerk's Office coordinates voting for those residing in county nursing homes by visiting the facilities to ensure all those who want to vote are able to.
To learn more about your rights as a disabled voter, visit The American Association of People with Disabilities website.
