Disability Voter Resource Guide

Washington, Nov. 7 – As voters get ready to head to the polls tomorrow, many are concerned about various access issues from physical accessibility to voter ID laws. We’ve compiled resources provided by general Election Day voter rights organizations as well as those provided by various disability groups.

See below for apps and information on where to vote, how to vote and who to contact in case there is an issue. Voters with disabilities have every right to vote. If you have a problem voting due to lack of access for disability, contact 866-OUR-VOTE, or other resources listed below, immediately. Please let us know as well by emailing LaurenA@RespectAbilityUSA.org. Did we miss an important resource? Share with us and we’ll update this guide.

Election Day Assistance
Rock the Vote has several online tools that simplify and demystify voter registration and elections. Follow the links below for more on how to claim your vote!

• Check your registration
• Find your polling place
• Voter and ID requirements
• State election information & learn about your candidates

Easter Seals, AAPD and the REVUP campaign created a checklist for voters with disabilities. Download their voting resource card to take with you to the polls!

The Arc, in partnership with Election Protection, a nonpartisan service formed to ensure that all voters have an equal opportunity to participate in the political process, created an app for people with disabilities to utilize if they have a problem voting. Download it today! Google Play: bit.ly/2f1fYqr or App Store: apple.co/2enQ9CH.

The National Federation of the Blind will host an Election Day hotline that blind and low vision voters, poll workers and voting rights advocates can call when problems with accessible voting technology or other barriers are preventing a blind voter from casting a private and independent ballot. The hotline will be available on Nov. 8, 2016, by calling 1-877-632-1940 from 7:00 a.m. EST to 7:00 p.m. PST.

Need help getting to the polls?
In addition to contacting your local candidates’ office, reach out to Carpool Vote, a service connecting volunteer drivers with anybody who needs a ride to claim their vote.

• Offer to drive or request a ride online: http://carpoolvote.com/
• For help using Carpool Vote, call or SMS: 804-239-3389

What if I go to the polls and they tell me I am not registered to vote?
First, make sure you are at the right polling place. If you are at the wrong polling place, they will not have your name on list of voters. If you are at the correct location and are not on the list, you can still cast a ballot. Ask the poll worker for a provisional ballot. After the polls close on Election Day, the state will check on the status of your voter registration and if there was a mistake made. The state must notify you as to whether your ballot was counted.

On Election Day, if I think my rights have been violated, what should I do?
If you have any questions at the polls, first ask an election official on site for assistance. If they are unable to assist or if you believe they violated your voting rights, then contact the Election Protection Coalition, a nonpartisan coalition working year-round to advance and defend your right to vote. They have lawyers standing by to answer your call:

• Visit 866ourvote.org
• 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683) – English
• 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) – Bilingual English and Spanish
• 1-844-418-1682 – Bilingual English and Arabic
• 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683) – English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Bengali, Hindi, Urdu or Tagalog

Other resources:

• The Election Assistance Commission, 1-866-747-1471 or BeReady16@eac.gov
• The Department of Justice, Voting Section at www.justice.gov/crt/contacting-voting-section, 800-253-3931, or voting.section@usdoj.gov

Looking to communicate with ASL or through SMS?
The Voting Information Project supports a SMS Tool that provides voters with election information via text message. By texting “VOTE” or “VOTO” to GOVOTE (468-683), voters can find polling places, contact information for local election officials, and registration URLs. The app is available in multiple languages.

If you are having trouble voting on Election Day, there are two resources available. While they are run through the DNC, as a matter of federal law, all voter help hotlines, whether run by a party or campaign, are nonpartisan.

• American Sign Language Video Hotline: 240-204-6475
• SMS Hotline: text QUESTION to 47246