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Independent Living News & Policy from the National Council on Independent Living

Start Your GOTV Effort Today – Make The Disability Vote Count!

The 2016 election is right around the corner, and the disability vote has the potential to make a big difference at both the state and national level. However, in order for that to happen, people with disabilities need to be registered to vote. The NCIL Voting Rights Subcommittee webpage includes a GOTV Manual to make it easy to reach your voter registration goals.

A black and white photo of two voting booths with curtains. Behind one curtain is a person in a wheelchair and behind the other voting booth curtain is someone standing.

With power comes responsibility

Just this week, Fivethirtyeight.com published an article titled “One In Six Eligible Voters Has A Disability,” highlighting the fact that the number of eligible voters with disabilities has risen over 10% since 2012, while the number of voters with no disability has risen by only 8.5%. In the article, Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux refers to the disability vote as the “sleeping giant” that it is, and reminds readers that people with disabilities have the power to change election results. This can only happen if voters are registered and able to cast their vote on Election Day, so be sure to take advantage of all resources provided to help make the disability vote count!

Don’t forget! National Voter Registration Day is September 27! Become a partner organization.