The ability to vote is one of the most powerful and fundamental rights in a democracy, embodying the very essence of civic participation and self-governance. Yet for many disabled people, voting is another area where a lack of accessible options hinders participation—whether it’s the difficulty of registering to vote or the lack of accessible options regarding in-person or mail-in voting. Mail-in ballots are often preferred by the majority of people with disabilities; however, for blind people or those with low vision, there is often the need for a physical location with American Sign Language options or braille, or access to a computer with a screen reading device and a printer.
Today, we’ll look at some of the history behind accessible voting, and how the disabled community can exercise their right to vote.
Historically, disabled people have been underrepresented in the voting booth. The study “Disability and Voting Accessibility in the 2020 Elections,” completed by the U.S. Election Assistance Commission and Rutgers University, demonstrated this underrepresentation, finding that 11% of people with disabilities said they faced difficulties voting.
In the past, some assumed that those with intellectual disabilities did not possess the cognitive ability to vote. Significant pieces of legislation were then advanced to ensure disabled people have equal voting rights, starting in 1965 with the Voting Rights Act (VRA). The VRA allowed voters to receive assistance from a person of their choice and also barred the requirement of any type of literacy or “test” to be able to vote. This was followed up by the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 (VAEHA) and the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.
Following the 2000 election, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) was passed by Congress in 2002, ensuring that under federal law, each voting polling location must have at least one accessible voting machine, including one with audio options or braille for blind people or those with low vision.
A sign with various disability graphics. Photo via The Arc California.
Mail-in and drop-off ballot locations have helped increase participation among disabled voters. As Mia Ives-Rublee, director of the Disability Justice Initiative at the Center for American Progress, notes: “We saw a huge increase in the amount of disabled voters who actually voted from 2020 in comparison to 2016. And this was partially because of greater access to mail-in ballots and drop-off locations.”
As the Center for American Progress also states: “According to data compiled by the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 62% of disabled voters cast a ballot in the November 2020 election, compared with just about 56% of disabled voters who participated in the 2016 presidential election."
In most states, you can request a mail-in ballot for reasons of work, travel, illness, or disability. However, it is important to check when the voter registration deadline is for your particular state (click here to find information on your state). Most states allow voter registration ONLY up to 30 days before elections take place. Last-minute voters who haven’t registered may be out of luck if they try to vote the month before the election.
Per the National Conference of State Legislatures, these states allow mail-in ballots with the following details:
Even with laws in place, there can still be accessibility issues when it comes to voting. Certain polling locations might not keep their technology up to date, or may have volunteers who are not trained on the accessible technology. This is why it’s important for people with disabilities to know their rights and to request them! Eight states have enacted stricter voter ID laws since the 2020 elections (see sidebar for more information), and some states in the U.S. still require in-person voting, which subjects people with disabilities to a host of questions, including:
Even with accessible voting machines and mail-in ballots, many people in the disability community—including those with cerebral palsy or other spinal injuries that prevent them from using their hands—cannot write down their choice but must dictate their vote to someone else out loud to mark down, which can feel to some like an invasion of privacy. Because of these hurdles, some in the disability community have called for the option of online voting, in which everyone can vote regardless of their disabilities.
In order to expand education, awareness, and knowledge about polling locations during elections, Mia Ives-Rublee has created a toolkit that people can fill out to help the Disability Justice Initiative figure out how voting is done in various locations. The disability community can share their thoughts via this toolkit to help improve voting accessibility in various districts.
As the United States’ November elections quickly approach, make sure you are registered and have a plan to vote when the day arrives. Democracy only works when people are active. Voting is a great way to participate and ensure a more equitable and just future for all, and inclusive voting processes reinforce that all citizens—regardless of their abilities—deserve equal opportunity to influence the direction of their country.
Relay Resources offers employment and business solutions for and with people with disabilities. Learn more about what Relay Resources does here, along with how you can support inclusive workplaces or find employment.
