2020 Presidential Primary Candidate Survey on Disability

2020, 2020 candidates

From the Disability Rights Center in New Hampshire.  DRC partners with 24 disability advocacy organizations in NH.

In an effort to inform individuals with disabilities about the 2020 presidential primary candidates twenty-four New Hampshire based organizations joined together and requested that each campaign answer five disability related questions. You can view candidate responses below, either by selecting a particular candidate or by selecting a particular question.

Topics included are:

  • Employment’
  • Assistive Technology
  • Special Education
  • Mental Health Services
  • Workforce Shortage

You can view the answers by candidate, or by question.

drcnh.org/2020-presidential-candidate-survey

 

July 15 – 19: National Disability Voter Registration Week!

2020

July 15 – 19, 2019

Be Seen.  Be Heard.  Be Counted.

“In 2020, approximately 23% of the American electorate — over 35 million individuals — will be people with disabilities. Your vote affects everything. Who you vote for impacts your civil rights and direct access to health care, education, transportation, housing and the list goes on and on. We encourage you to participate in our non-partisan REV UP campaign to increase the political power & civic participation of the disability community while also engaging candidates and the media on disability issues.”  from AAPD – American Association of People with Disabilities

https://www.aapd.com/advocacy/voting/national-disability-voter-registration-week/

2020 Candidates – No Accessible Websites!

2020, 2020 candidates

Not one 2020 candidate has a website that is accessible to the blind

From Vox.com, June 26, 2019 by s. e. smith

2020 candidates and disability

“On Tuesday, a day before the first Democratic debates, every presidential candidate (including the Republican one) was called out by the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind and Visually Impaired for having an inaccessible campaign site”.

The 2020 elections are a year and a half away.  Clearly, it is not too early to make sure the candidates are focusing on disability issues!  This article also talks about which candidates have at least mentioned disability issues.

If you have a favorite candidate, reach out to them, and let them know that the disability vote counts!  And disability issues matter.

Voter Turnout in 2019

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From Non Profit Vote – This report is especially interesting in that it tries to indicate what policies could be driving higher voter participation.  At 17th in the list with 54.6% participation as compared to the highest at 64.2% (Minnesota), Massachusetts has room to improve!

“You likely already know the 2018 Midterms broke all kinds of voter turnout records in an election that has been deemed “historic.” With the release of our 7th biennial “America Goes to the Polls” report – a joint effort with the U.S. Election Project – we dig into that election and reveal the official voter turnout ranking of all 50 states. But ranking the states is only half the story, the other half is identifying the various voter registration and election policies that give some states a big turnout advantage over others.
 
We examine how policies like Same Day Registration, Vote at Home, and Automatic Voter Registration play a demonstrable role in encouraging voter turnout, especially in the states that ranked in the top 10. We also look at how the more restrictive 4-week registration deadlines depress turnout in the bottom 10 states.
 

The report is packed with useful information, charts, and graphs that can help you spread the word about your own voter advocacy work or help highlight how your state needs to do more to ensure every eligible citizen has access to the polls. “

Download the report:   Voter Turnout in 2019

Debates – Updated 10/29

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We have provided links to both past and future debates.

  • October 3:  Attorney General Debate between incumbent Maura Healey and challenger Jay McMahon. The debate was hosted by WGBH News and moderated by Jim Braude and Margery Eagan. View on pbs.org.
  • Tuesday, October 9 .: Gubernatorial Debate is between incumbent Charlie Baker and opponent Jay Gonzalez.   Jonathan Keller moderated.  View on C-Span.
  • Wednesday, October 17 from 7 p.m. – 8 on WGBH (Channel 2) and WGBY Springfield:  Gubernatorial Debate is between incumbent Charlie Baker and opponent Jay Gonzalez.   View on C-Span.
  • Friday, October 19 from 8 p.m. – 9 on WBZ Channel 38.   Senatorial Debate where Democratic incumbent Elizabeth Warren faces Republican Geoff Diehl.  Watch on YouTube.com.
  • Sunday, October 21 at 7 p.m. sponsored by WBGY Springfield:  At this Senatorial Debate,  incumbent Elizabeth Warren faced Geoff Diehl.   View at C-Span.
  • Monday, October 22 from 7 – 7:30 p.m. WGBH Channel 2:  Secretary of State Bill Galvin (D) will debate his opponent, Anthony Amore (R), on the Jim Braude Show.  View on wgbh.org.
  • Tuesday, October 24 – Attorney General Debate between incumbent Maura Healey and challenger Jay McMahon.  Listen on facebook.com/radioboston.
  • Tuesday, October 30 – Senatorial Debate,  incumbent Elizabeth Warren against Geoff Diehl.  Broadcast live on WCVB Channel 5 at 7 p.m. and streamed on WCVB.com, BostonGlobe.com and Boston.com.
  • Thursday, November 1 – : Gubernatorial Debate between incumbent Charlie Baker and opponent Jay Gonzalez.  Broadcast live on WCVB Channel 5 at 7 p.m.

Galvin Amore Debate

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Don’t miss the debate for Secretary of State on Monday, October 22.  Incumbent Democrat Bill Galvin will debate Republican opponent Anthony Amore on the Jim Braude show on WGBH TV.

Note: October 22 is the beginning of early voting.  We recommend you watch the debate first before you vote!

 

Voter Registration Forum – Today (Oct. 2) in Natick

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When: TODAY!
Tuesday October 2, 2-4 and 6-8 p.m.
Where:
Lebowitz Meeting Hall
Morse Institute Library
14 E Central Street
Natick, MA 01760

Representatives from the Secretary of State’s office, the Disability Law Center, REV UP Massachusetts and MetroWest Center for Independent Living will be there to answer your questions.  This Voter Registration Forum is in conjunction with National Disability Awareness Month.

Accessible AutoMark Voting Machines will be set up for voters to try out.

The Natick Town Clerk will help you register to vote, even if you are from another town.

Learn your civil rights, register to vote and make your voting plan.

Representative Linsky, Senator Ross and Senator Spilka plan to attend.