• ILC Statewide Conference, September 17^th Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel Marlborough, DLC Table and voter registration
• BCIL Anniversary event, September 21^stat Reggie Lewis Track and Athletic Center. DLC information and voter registration
• Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities 2^nd annual National Disability Employment Awareness Month event- “Accessible Democracy: Every Vote Counts” Wednesday, October 23, 11-12 pm at the Statehouse. Target audience includes election officials, disability advocates, community organizers, legal experts, policymakers, voters with disabilities, and the public interested in enhancing voting accessibility and promoting civic engagement
• MASS Self Advocacy Conference– Saturday, October 26^th Best Western Royal Plaza Hotel Marlborough 10-5 table/ one hour breakout session on How to Vote.

Your Right to Vote (Webinar 1 of 2)

Wednesday, August 14 @ 12:00PM

Voting is one of our most sacred rights. Yet historically, the disabled community has not been well represented at the voting booth. Join Jose Lopez, The Arc’s Policy Officer, for a voting rights webinar on Wednesday, August 14 at noon to learn about your options and timelines for voting. For democracy to succeed, we need people to participate in the process. If we are to continue to make positive changes for the disabled communities we serve, we need informed citizens voting to elect those leaders who best represent their values and priority concerns. To do that, you must vote!

Register for Your Right to Vote

Why Voting Matters (Webinar 2 of 2)

Wednesday, August 28 @ 12:00PM

Many are saying the upcoming election will be one of the most important election cycles in a generation. Now more than ever, we need informed citizens using their vote to elect leaders who best represent their interests. Join Jackie Doherty, The Arc’s new Director of Education and Outreach, for a webinar to explore Voting Matters on Wednesday, August 28 at noon. Jackie will be joined by panelists Henry Milorin, Elections Commissioner from Medford and parent of an adult son with autism, and Jim White, Past Chair of the Access Advisory Committee to the MBTA and Election Poll Inspector for the City of Boston.

Register for Why Voting Matters

Preparation

Providers Council has a CareVote page with lots of information and tools. Included is a checklist which has preparation suggestions, lists of supplies, and other information on How to Host a Voter Registration Table.

We recommend you also bring printed voter registration forms for anyone without an id, or anyone who does not like online forms. Envelopes and stamps for mailing these registrations are also good to have.

We also recommend you bring a tablet or laptop for people who do not want to register on their phones. You will need either WIFI or a hotspot capability to register online.

Tips for hosting accessible events and meetings by the MA Office on Disability

Register

First look up your applicant on the state website at Find My Voter Registration, and see if they are already registered. Maybe they simply need to update their address.

If they are not registered, review the voter registration requirements.

• Citizen of the United States
• At least 16 years old  (note – one is considered pre-registered and may not vote until 18)
• Resident of Massachusetts
• Not currently incarcerated by reason of a felony conviction.

Next, determine whether they can register online, using a drivers license or state id or last 4 digits of their Social Security Number.

• If they have the id,
  • they can register on-line using their own phone. Stand by to assist!
  • they may prefer a larger screen, in which case you can help them with a tablet or laptop if you have brought those along.
• If they do not have an id, or do not like working online
  • Use a printed voter registration page (you can print these yourself, or get some from a town clerk.) Some people may want you to actually fill out the form. Be prepared to provide applicants with the address of their town clerk, or to submit their registration forms yourself.
• They can complete the registration on-line form, knowing that they will need to print it…
• For registering voters without an id, let them know they may be asked for some id the first time they vote. See the State’s Identification Requirements page.

Accessible Electronic Vote by Mail

Accessible Electronic Vote by Mail is new and underutilized. If you meet a person who needs this mechanism for voting, please share information on it.  The deadline to apply is October 29 at 5 p.m.

If you are unable to independently mark a ballot due to vision impairments, mobility, or dexterity limitations, you can request to receive, complete, and return your ballot electronically in the 2024 Elections.

• To access the Accessible Vote by Mail system, you must first submit a completed Accessible Vote by Mail Application online  or download the application, then email/fax or print and mail to your local election office. *Note: You can sign your application by typing your name if you have a disability that prevents you from signing independently.
• To apply and complete a ballot, you will need to provide an email address
• After applying, you will receive an email with instructions and a unique access pin number.

For more information and instructional videos on Accessible Vote by Mail, visit the Democracy Live:   OmniBallot Portal.

Press Release: August 2024

Stavros Center for Independent Living Advocates for Disabilities Voting Rights Week in Massachusetts**

Amherst, MA — Stavros Center for Independent Living (CIL) is proud to announce its ongoing efforts to have the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and local communities recognize September 9th to the 13th, 2024, as Disabilities Voting Rights Week. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the voting rights of individuals with disabilities and to ensure their full participation in the electoral process.

We are thrilled to report that the cities of Northampton, Amherst, Easthampton, and Holyoke have already issued proclamations recognizing this important week. These proclamations signify a collective commitment to supporting the voting rights of people with disabilities within these communities.

To kick off Disabilities Voting Rights Week, Stavros CIL will be hosting a Voter Registration Drive and Disabilities Voting Rights Education Workshop at our Amherst office on September 9th. During this event, the mayors of Northampton, Amherst, Easthampton, and Holyoke will present their respective proclamations, reinforcing their dedication to this cause.

Event Details:

• Date: Monday, September 9th, 2024
• Location: Stavros Center for Independent Living, 210 Old Farm Rd, Amherst, MA 01002
• Activities: Voter Registration Drive and Disabilities Voting Rights Education Workshop
• Presentations: Proclamations by the mayors of Northampton, Amherst, Easthampton, and Holyoke

We invite the community to join us in this pivotal event to learn more about the rights of voters with disabilities and to register to vote.

For more information, please contact Brianna Zimmerman (she/her), Systems Change Advocate at Stavros Center for Independent Living at her Work Phone: (413) 256-0473 Extension 121