Category Archives: News

Voting Seminars by The Arc of Massachusetts

2024 Elections, News

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

How to Hold a Voter Registration Drive

2024 Elections, News

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.

STAVROS – Voter Registration Drive and Disabilities Voting Rights Education Workshop

2024 Elections, News

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

Conversation on Civic Engagement

Educate, News

On Thursday, June 6 at 2:00 pm, Boston Center for Independent Living (BCIL) will host a one-hour virtual forum on how persons with disabilities can get involved in the political process.

Have you wondered about:                    

  • How to run for office?
  • How to work on a campaign at the local, state, or national level?
  • How to get involved with a political party?
  • How to register to vote?   
  • How to early vote or vote by mail?
  • What accessibility accommodations are required at the polling site?

Featured speakers for this virtual forum include State Republican Party Chairperson Amy Carnevale, Democratic State Committee member Rebecca Morris, Republican State Committee member Judy Crocker,  Democratic State Committee Member Alex Bausch, and for Rev Up, Rick Glassman from the Disability Law Center. 

In addition to working on their party state committees, Morris also advocates on health care and climate issues, Carnevale is a member of the Massachusetts Commission on Intellectual Disabilities, Crocker is involved in numerous civic activities on Cape Cod, Bausch has worked on several campaigns, and Glassman has worked as an attorney representing issues in the disability community since 1985.

Register for the Civic Engagement virtual forum

ASL and CART will be provided.

ADA reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities are available upon request. To submit a request, contact Austin at aoconnor@bostoncil.org or (617) 338-6665. As part of your request, please include a description of the accommodation you will need and include as much detail as you can. Please provide your contact information in case we need more information. When possible, please allow at least seven days advance notice. Last-minute requests will be accepted but may be difficult to fill.

Tell Your State Rep to cosponsor amendment #1277 “Improving Voting Access”

Accessibility, Educate, News

State Representative Frank Moran introduced amendment #1277 “Improving Voting Access” to H.4600 that would make voting more accessible in Massachusetts by ending the disenfranchisement of voters who don’t return the municipal census and improving polling place accessibility by requiring periodic inspections.

Email your State Representative and ask them to cosponsor Rep Moran’s amendment before the House debates the matter during the week of April 22-26. Common Cause has set up an easy interface way to Email your State Representative.

Amendment # 1277 would do two things

Read the Entire Text of Amendment 1277 (PDF)

End the disenfranchisement of voters who don’t return the municipal census

Today, if a voter does not respond to the annual municipal census, they are punished by being placed on the inactive voter list. Massachusetts is one of the only states to punish voters this way.

The amendment would end this penalty — and ensure clean voter rolls the way other states do. Voters would be placed on the inactive voter list if:

  • They changed their address with the U.S. Postal Service and didn’t change their registration or
  • They are marked as a duplicate registration by the multistate Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC).

This process would be automated to the extent possible to reduce the workload on local election officials. There would be no change to the municipal census itself, which is used to ensure local services and to populate the jury pool.

Improve polling place accessibility with periodic inspections

Voters with disabilities continue to face myriad obstacles to in-person voting – from physical inaccessibility to lack of functioning equipment inside polling locations.

This amendment would require the Secretary of Commonwealth to arrange inspection of all polling places and early voting sites at least once every four years to ensure compliance with federal and state disability accessibility laws.

2024 – Sign Up to Volunteer to Survey Polling Place(s)

Accessibility, News

The Disability Law Center and REV UP MA presented an on-line training session for volunteers interested in learning about how to survey their polling places during the upcoming election.   We had great participation in this session on February 14th. Participants learned how to identify accessibility issues at polling sites and how to report issues using the REV UP survey tool.

Please watch the February 2024 Training Session Video and get ready to survey.  (note: If you watched the 2023 video, you are basically prepared.)

PLEASE register to survey your site:

The MA primary is March 5, and we could use your help identifying barriers to voting.

You’re Invited to the Voting Access Town Hall Series!

News

In partnership with REV UP MA, The Election Modernization Coalition is hosting a Voting Access Town Hall Series!  Join us in

  • Wednesday, January 10 in Brockton, The Brockton Public Library at 304 Main Street
  • Thursday, January 11 in Lawrence, The Lawrence Public Library at 51 Lawrence Street
  • Wednesday, January 17 in Springfield, South Congregational Church at 23 Maple Street

Register by scanning a QR code on the flyer or Register online

These Town Halls are an opportunity for voters to learn about new election laws and for voters to share their experience as a voter with voting rights advocacy groups. Among other things, the discussion will include the part of the Voting ACCESS bill that includes more frequent and stricter standards for making sure polling places are accessible for people with disabilities.

Light refreshments will be provided.
We anticipate language translation available.
American Sign Language and CART will also be available.
 

Download the Voting Access Town Hall Flyer (pdf).

2023 Help Evaluate Polling Sites in MA

Accessibility, News

MA has decent accessibility laws, but right now, it is up to volunteers to ensure our polling sites are accessible for all.  The Disability Law Center (DLC) is coordinating efforts to evaluate the hundreds of polling sites in MA.  You can help us by learning what to look for, and sending evaluations to DLC.

Please fill out the DLC survey when you vote. Even if you do not encounter any barriers, your input on a specific site is valuable! You may want to read it ahead of time to get an overview of pertinent information:: Take the DLC Polling Place Accessibility Survey.

For a quick overview, view the DLC Slides for evaluating polling sites: DLC Polling Site Evaluation Powerpoint Slides.

The following training video explains the laws and what to look for at your polling site:

REV UP MA 2023 Disability Voting Webinar

Accessibility, Educate, News

September 20, 2023

In her first year as the Voting Rights Advocate at Disability Law Center, Emily Almeda-Lopez assembled an impressive group of disability rights allies and experts for the 2023 conference. Attendees learned about disability barriers and features in Massachusetts from Bridget Murphy from the Secretary of State’s office as well as representatives of local organizations. We learned more about the recent successes (Electronic Vote by Mail) from the Disability Law Center staff. And Alexia Kemmerling from the national REV UP shared news about voter suppression, advocacy, successes and barriers across the country.

The conference was followed by a training for volunteer polling place evaluators (See 2023 Training Post). This evaluation project continues – PLEASE learn more and volunteer in 2024.

Agenda:

  • 12:30-12:35: Opening remarks discussing the importance of local elections, accessible voting and any news from the Secretary’s office. Bridget Murphy from the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s office
  • 12:35-12:50: Overview of voting policy and advocacy across states and at the federal level.  Topics will include John Robert Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, The Freedom to Vote Act, Voter Suppression across states, and different advocacy efforts from other REV UP groups and voting rights groups across the country. Alexia Kemmerling, REV UP’s Coordinator for state efforts
    • 12:50-1:00: Q&A
  • 1:00-1:30: Discussion of specific organizations’ services, work in voting rights and current or upcoming advocacy and legislative projects and how voters with disabilities can engage with their work. Representatives from Common Cause, League of Women Voters of Massachusetts, Stavros and the Provider’s Council’s CareVote Initiative
    • 1:30-1:40: Q&A
  • 1:40-1:50: Overview and update on the state’s electronic accessible vote by mail system, how the system works in local elections and the importance of being aware of and utilizing accessible electronic vote by mail. Tatum Pritchard, Disability Law Center
    • 1:50-2:00 Q&A
  • 2:00-2:15 Close of main Webinar and short break before Polling Place Survey Training
  • 2:15-3:15: Training presentation on how to recognize accessibility violations at polling locations and report them in real time to Disability Law Center with a new detailed survey tool. The training will also teach attendees how to fully survey and monitor polling places in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Help America Vote Act, so that volunteers can help Disability Law Center in their mission to keep voting in Massachusetts accessible for everyone. Tom Murphy and Emily Almeda-Lopez from Disability Law Center

‘We depend on each other’: A community driven to vote -Georgia

News

November 3, 2022 | Atlanta and Decatur, Ga.

The Christian Science Monitor

People with disabilities have faced access challenges at the polls, and some now see those rising. Their pushback: helping each other to be counted.

November 3, 2022 | Atlanta and Decatur, Ga.

For many voters, the act of casting a ballot has become easier. There are mail-in options, drop boxes, early-voting periods. States have maintained that moves to prevent cheating have not limited access. 

People with disabilities have gained too, but they still face hurdles. Many lack access to vehicles or public transportation, making it nearly impossible to vote in person. Suzanne Thornton hopes to change that.

“I kept seeing free rides … to the polls,” says Thornton, a veteran with limited mobility who lives in Decatur, Georgia. “And I’d call them and say, ‘Do you have an accessible van?’ And they’re like, ‘No.’ So if you were in a wheelchair, you couldn’t get a ride.”

Thornton, who goes by “Zan” and uses gender neutral pronouns, organized free wheelchair-accessible rides to the polls for more than 150 people during the 2020-2021 U.S. Senate special election in Georgia. They are continuing this work for the 2022 midterms.

In general elections, there’s been a persistent gap between the turnout rates of voters with and without disabilities. If this gap were closed, there would be an estimated 1.75 million more votes. For Thornton and other people with disabilities, ensuring that everyone who wants to vote has access sometimes means finding creative solutions together.

“If you had to count on my energy, I don’t think we can get to 200, not even to 100,” Thornton says about getting people to the polls. “It’s just working through community. And that’s what the disability community is, working together.”