As a co-sponsor
of the June 17 “Disability Vote Forum” in Harrisburg, PCPA provides
this information to our members to encourage local efforts for employees and
consumers to register to vote.
Election Day is November 2. Polls will be open from 7:00 a.m. — 8:00 p.m. In order to vote in this general election, voters must be registered by October 4.
In this election voters will be selecting the president, US senators, US representatives, PA attorney general, PA auditor general, PA state treasurer, PA representatives and PA senators. The League of Women Voters maintains a website with information on candidate positions. Access www.lwv.org for information.
The Disability Vote is important and can be a powerful voting force. According to a recent publication by the Pennsylvania Disabilities Law Project, in the 2000 election only 41% of eligible disabled voters cast a ballot and only 58% of people with disabilities were offered the opportunity to register to vote by their service providers.
The National Voter Registration Act of 1993 (Motor Voter Law) places disability service organizations in the key role of helping to register persons they serve. At the very least, voter registration should be offered during intake, change of address or re-certification.
Non-profit organizations may help consumers and staff vote by providing some of the following non-partisan efforts:
- Provide transportation to the polls,
- Run phone banks,
- Conduct non-partisan forums, and
- Set up a “buddy system” so a consumer can vote with a friend.
Additional information and resources are available:
- “Disability Vote Matters” publication from Disability Law Project at www.dlp-pa.org.
- “Voters Guide” from the Pennsylvania Department of State at www.dos.state.pa.us.
