The 2000 presidential election brought to the forefront the weaknesses that have plagued our country’s voting system for far too long. By identifying the many problems, particularly those such as inaccessible polling places and voting machines that affected voting for people with disabilities, the end result was the enactment of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA). This major piece of legislation promises to impact every part of our voting process and procedures-from voting machines to provisional ballots to voter registration to training for poll workers-by requiring state and local election officials across the country to overhaul their systems to ensure that they are more inclusive, as well as to prevent what happened in Florida from happening again.
Does the enactment of HAVA mean that problems on Election Day or with the election process won’t occur? Of course not. No one expects HAVA to make the system perfect. But it will require the voices of those who use the system to ensure that whatever is wrong can be fixed. That is where you, as a self-advocate, come in.
Over the past year, we have given you information and tips on self-advocacy. Our goal was to provide you with a basic understanding of how you can confront barriers, both physical and attitudinal, that you may have come across in your community. The end result, we hope, is not only a positive difference for you and people with disabilities, but for your community as a whole.
The upcoming federal election in November will enable you to learn whether your election officials, commission or board is living up to its obligations under HAVA. By using the tips that we have provided throughout the year on self-advocacy, you can help to ensure that voters with disabilities in your community are guaranteed one of our most basic rights as American citizens-the right to vote. Here are a few suggestions:
• Identify your local board of elections; ask for information related to your state’s plan to implement HAVA.
• Ask your local board of elections about the type of voting equipment that they are using and if demonstrations can be provided to local independent living centers or other disability advocacy groups in your community.
• Find out if your state or local community has a mechanism or system in place to report complaints or problems on Election Day. The state of New Jersey’s Division of Elections, for example, has developed an online form for citizens to promptly and directly report polling place accessibility concerns to the Division of Elections (www.NJElections.org). Encourage your election officials to establish a similar system for reporting complaints.
• Let your election officials know your concerns. HAVA requires that states submit a plan of action in order to be eligible for grants for compliance with the law. Each state must include in the submission of their plan a process for citizen participation and public review. When public hearings on your state’s HAVA plan are being held, attend and express your thoughts and concerns.
• Share your information and knowledge about what is going on in your community with others. Remember, knowledge is power and sharing that knowledge empowers others.
Making a difference starts with you, and the right to vote is one way that we can each make that difference. Work to improve accessibility at your polling location, speak up to your local officials and poll workers, and take action through self-advocacy.
To learn more about HAVA, see the article on page 9 or contact our Government Relations department at 800-404-2898 or 718-803-3782. To order a copy of our publication on self-advocacy entitled Taking Action, call our Publications Hotline at 800-444-0120 or visit our Web site at www.unitedspinal.org. (Taking Action is available in both English and Spanish.)
Marlene L. Perkins is Assistant Director of Advocacy.
