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cyclonefence

(4,483 posts)
Sun Sep 30, 2018, 02:16 PM Sep 2018

Do you know a disabled person who doesn't vote?

People who have disabilities, even intellectual disabilities, are eligible to vote (in PA, at least). My daughter, who is severely disabled, was registered to vote by her high school special ed teacher and has voted in every election since then. When it became too difficult for her to use the polls (and you can ask you local judge of elections to certify someone to go into the booth to help with the voting), she filed for and received a permanent absentee ballot. She has to re-apply for that "permanent" ballot every two years, but it's no big deal. Her doctor certifies that her disability prevents her from using the voting booth.

If you know a person with disabilities, ask her or her caregiver if she is registered. If not, offer to help register and to vote. Contact the judge of elections at the polling place the disabled person will use and ask for permission to have an assistant go into the booth with the disabled person.

My daughter's very existence depends on who is elected to state and federal office, and she has a right to a say in who that is. I believe she has more of a right to vote than I do.

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