Decision 2016: The Youth and Disability Vote - Melanie Hecker
It is time once again to elect The President of the United States. In the past and present, both youth and disabled voters have not had fully accessible and inclusive voting opportunities. As a result, youth and disabled voter turnouts have historically been low. In 2014, the last Federal election, youth turnout was only 19.9% of youth aged 18-30, the lowest it has ever been for Federal elections. In 2012, 57.2% of people with disabilities did not vote, with 30% of them wanting to vote but not being able due to access barriers. During an election year, it is especially important to take action and amplify the youth and disability votes.
Young people are one of the most important voting demographics. Youth make up 20% of the population eligible to vote, which means the youth vote has a lot of influence. Young people are also the most diverse voting group and most often affected by modern issues, such as the economic recession and environmental depletion. With social media, blogs, and other easily accessible sources providing information about the candidates, making an informed decision has become much easier for young people. Young people have great power in elections and the decisions made by our society can have a long-lasting impact on their lives.
The disability vote is another potentially powerful voting group. Sadly, a lack of accessible voting has made getting the vote out very difficult. In the last election, 72% of polling places were not accessible. Difficulties faced can include not being able to maneuver a wheelchair in the voting space, disrespect from poll workers, accessible machines being not set up or broken, no clear instructions on how to use the accessible machines, and lack of privacy. In 2000, the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) was passed to address these issues. HAVA requires polling places be accessible, use encouraging ballots, and allow people with disabilities to cast their votes privately. However, since inaccessible voting is still an issue today, it is important for us to step up and take action.
Youth and people with disabilities can help by providing feedback to polling places, participating in voting focus groups, and promoting knowledge of accessible voting methods. For disability campaigns, use the hashtags #CripTheVote, #RevUP, #VoteDisability, #DisabilityVote, and #GOTVDisability on social media to amplify your voice as a part of the disability movement. You can also use the youth vote hashtag #YouthVote and #RockTheVote. Perhaps the biggest way someone can challenge inaccessible voting is by volunteering as a poll worker. Often times, polls are inaccessible because individuals do not know how to use or set up the accessible machines. If you want to ensure yourself and/or others are able to access the polls, volunteer! Not only is this a great professional experience, but you have the opportunity to amplify our voices. See http://www.elections.ny.gov/BecomePollworker.html for more details.
Voter Resources:
Registration and Deadlines: Visit www.rockthevote.com or your local Department of Motor Vehicles or Independent Living Center.
Amplifying the Disability Vote: visit http://www.aapd.com/our-focus/voting/ or http://www.sabeusa.org/govoter/
New York Disability Vote Network: visit www.nydvn.org
DRNY Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access: http://www.drny.org/p-a-for-voting-access--pava-.html For more reasons why young people need to vote, please visit http://www.thebestcolleges.org/9-reasons-we-need-young-voters-more-than-ever/ References:
Self Advocates Becoming Empowered. "Voter Resources". Self Advocates Becoming Empowered. Web. 6.September 2016.
Texas Disability Project. Rev-Up Toolkit. N.p.: n.p., n.d. PrintThe Best Colleges. "9 Reasons We Need Young Voters More Than Ever." The BestColleges. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Sept. 2016.
THE CENTER FOR INFORMATION & RESEARCH ON CIVIC LEARNING ANDENGAGEMENT. "Youth Voting." THE CENTER FOR INFORMATION & RESEARCH ON CIVIC LEARNING AND ENGAGEMENT. N.p., n.d. Web. 6 Sept. 2016.
