DC Midsouth Life - Voting

DC Midsouth Life

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the first installment of our blog that will deal with advocating, uniting and educating the disability community in the midsouth.  This blog will focus on the Center and our mission. It will include consumer views and local topics. The blogs may have staff and board perspectives on issues of interest to people with disabilities in the Midsouth. The blog will promote Independent Living, success stories and events at the Center. The blog will also take on timely issues and items of interest to the cross disability community. 

Your Voice Matters 

By Allison Donald, Disability Connection Midsouth

Voters with disabilities face unique obstacles when it comes to casting our ballots.  During the 2022 midterm election 38.3 million voters with disabilities had an opportunity to cast their ballots.  As I sat back and reflected on that number I was left with two nagging questions.  First, what was my voting experience going to be like and also how many people living with disabilities really know their rights as a voter?

I waited until Election Day to vote, because I like the hustle and bustle of the battle for the last minute votes.  As I pulled up to my polling station I walked through the door that said "Vote Here". It was the accessible entrance, but I did not know that until I got on the inside of the church and saw the placard posted to the right of the door.  

Oh yes, there was also a woman asking the poll worker why she had to “go through the same door as the handicapped.” 

I brushed that off, because I was there to cast my vote for the next mayor. I walked from one table to another and the poll worker asked if I needed assistance.  I told him no. He handed me a stylus and my ballot. 

As I walked up to the voting machine another poll worker came over and was explaining to me how the machine worked because I was having a little trouble getting my ballot into the machine.  After he saw the ballot go into the machine he walked away and I was able to cast my vote privately and independently.  

I know that my experience with voting is not like everybody’s who has a disability. 

It is important that we are able to vote privately and independently.  Also, the polling place must be accessible for people with disabilities. One mistake that I have encountered while I have been eligible to vote is poll workers assuming I need assistance with voting based on seeing my crutches.  I often wonder  if I had a disability that limited my dexterity would they be able to accommodate me on the spot?  I also wonder how many people with disabilities have voted and not gotten the proper accommodation for their needs?  

For people with disabilities I would tell them it is not a hard conversation to have and there is nothing wrong with asking for help.  If you need help with beginning that conversation Disability Connection Midsouth is here to help YOU and keep you informed regarding your rights.  If you don't feel comfortable speaking with a person you can visit: 

https://blog.ssa.gov/helping-voters-with-disabilities-participate-in-our-democratic-process/ 

Check your voter registration in Tennessee or get voting information at www.govotetn.gov.

Nationally you can get information at: https://vote.gov/ 

ALWAYS REMEMBER YOUR VOICE MATTERS AND EVERY VOTE COUNTS!

Voting Early

By Stephen Tennial, Disability Connection Midsouth

Growing up, I was always told that there is not anything more constant in life but change. Change is the only thing that is constant and it is the one thing that gives us hope for a better community. This is why I take my right to vote very serious. 

When it comes to voting for persons with disabilities, there are many barriers that we face. One barrier is simply getting to the polling site itself. Other barriers include, but are not limited to physical environment, lack of assistive technology, and negative attitudes towards people with disabilities.

I recently early voted in Memphis’s Mayoral election. I voted early at a local church and I encountered one issue. Before I go into what problem I had, I would first like to say that I did not face any problems with the abovementioned barriers. 

Because of my disability, I cannot raise my arms, therefore I could not press the buttons on the machines without assistance. For me this was a simple fix because my wife and I were at the polls together and she was able to help me make my selections. However, my concern is regarding the person who does not have anyone to accompany them. I believe that there should be voting machines that are designed for persons that use wheelchairs and scooters.