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2024 elections

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American flag with the word VOTE under it

Voting Rights and Supports for People with Disabilities 2024

By | NESCA Notes 2024

American flag with the word VOTE under itBy: Tabitha Monahan, M.A., CAGS, CRC
NESCA Transition Specialist/Counselor

The election season is often thought to begin in full force after Labor Day. However, this summer has been full of unexpected events that have brought the 2024 General Election to the forefront of many people’s minds for much of the summer. One aspect that is not often covered in detail with our transition-aged youth, is that once they are 18, they are now eligible to register (…if they have not already. In Massachusetts, youth can pre-register at age 16!), and vote in local, state, and federal elections. However, many of the teens and young adults who I work with are unsure how to navigate the election process and what their rights as citizens with disabilities are to express their opinion by casting their vote.

There’s good news on the voting front. According to Disability Research at Rutgers University and the U.S. Election Assistance Commission (EAC), 62% of individuals with disabilities voted in the 2020 election, an uptick from previous elections, thought to be due to the increased availability of voting options, such as mail-in and early voting. There was also a significant decrease in the number of people with disabilities who had difficulties voting in 2020, down from 26% to 11%. If you want to learn more about voter turnout by individuals with disabilities, read more in the Disability and Voter Turnout in the 2020 Elections Fact Sheet.

While numbers are heading in the right direction, we’d still like to help our young people with disabilities exercise their right to vote. In Massachusetts, even individuals with guardianship maintain their right to vote unless the court documents specifically state otherwise. There are many ways to support individuals, but it starts with helping them register. Massachusetts residents can register to vote online, when obtaining or renewing a driver’s license or state ID, or at the local registrar of voters’ office. Notices from MassHealth and the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) also include voter registration forms.

Absentee/mail-in ballots – Every registered voter should have received a postcard/mailing within the past few weeks to request an absentee ballot from the Secretary of State. If you are not sure if you and/or your loved one received one, it looks like this:

Image of Official Application for Massachusetts voters to request a mail-in/absentee ballotPhoto Credit: Rep. Jack Patrick Lewis via X @RepJackLewis

All citizens are also allowed to bring a person to help them while they are at the polls. Encourage your young person by letting them know that many people require assistance at the polls, and it is completely normal to have someone help them if they need it. Each polling location should also have at least one AutoMARK Voter Assist Terminal, which helps individuals with visual impairments vote independently.

No one wants their vote not to be counted due to errors in filling out their ballot. People can request a sample ballot in advance from their local registrar of voters (the Secretary of State’s website can give you the address and phone number of your local registrar). Practicing filling out ballots in advance (even ballots from previous elections) can help a new voter become comfortable with the form and is great fine motor skill practice for those who may need it! When you check your voter registration status, sometimes the sample ballot is available right on that website. As of July, primary ballots from the previous state-level election were still posted on the state’s website. People can bring notes with them to the polls, so brining their completed sample ballot or notes on who they want to vote for and if they are voting yes or no on an issue can be incredibly beneficial for everyone, but certainly for folks who may have difficulty remembering their choices when they are at their polling place.

The Massachusetts Secretary of State also creates a voter information booklet for each election regarding the ballot initiatives. Starting in early October, these red booklets can be found at many community locations, such as local libraries, post offices, and city/town halls. These booklets offer information on what a yay or nay vote would mean and have information from each initiative’s proponents and opponents. Use that sample ballot as a starting point for the different types of ballot questions and elected positions.

Talk with them about current events and issues – The news can seem scary and overwhelming, and the advent of social media has further swarmed the sources of information available to people. It’s important to ask our transition-aged youth what they are seeing and hearing about events occurring in the world. It does not need to just be the hot button issues of the day. Talk to them about news topics of interest, like upcoming local events or events like the Olympics. Check-in with them on their understanding of reliable sources of information. Do they know how to tell if something was likely a deep fake, created with AI, or otherwise manipulated or photoshopped? Suggestions that people may want to consider when deciding if something is a reputable source can be found at the website: Tabitha Says So. FYI. Another resource that provides more information and lessons on both obtaining accurate information and understanding the different levels and roles of government and how to advocate for themselves within government is iCivics. They provide wonderful resources that can help individuals, teachers, and their families prepare for this upcoming and future elections.

Keep in mind that the key dates and deadlines for voting in this fall’s elections in Massachusetts are as follows:

  • State Primary Voter Registration Deadline: August 24th
  • Vote by Mail Application Deadline: August 26th
  • State Primary Tuesday: September 3rd
  • First Day of in person Early Voting: October 19th
  • Last Day to register for General Election: October 26th
  • Vote by Mail Application Deadline: October 29th
  • Last Day of in person Early Voting: November 1st
  • Election Day: November 5th
  • Election Day Polling Hours: 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Help your young adult find out what the different roles of government boards do and why there is an election for things such as Governor’s Councillor or Clerk of Courts. Help them find the websites for candidates running for office and review the candidates’ stances on issues. Ask what issues they want to learn more about, and which are important to them. This fall, Massachusetts voters will be casting their votes for a large lineup of roles to fill, with the following positions on the ballot.

  • President and Vice President of the United States (Electors of)
  • Representatives in Congress (Federal)
  • Senator (Federal)
  • Governor’s Councillor
  • State Senator
  • State Representative
  • Register of Deeds
  • Clerk of Courts
  • County Commissioner (county level only in certain counties)
  • Additional local offices (only certain cities & towns)
  • Ballot Questions

Most importantly, remind them that their vote counts. As many disability rights activists have said, “nothing about us without us.” Individuals with disabilities are greatly affected by the policy decisions that occur in government at all levels. Since many individuals with disabilities have frequently experienced disenfranchisement, there are numerous groups working tirelessly to lessen and remove these barriers. How have you helped your young adult exercise their right to vote?

Important Links:

 

About the Author

Tabitha Monahan, M.A., CAGS, CRC, is an experienced transition evaluator and vocational counselor. While she is well-versed in supporting a wide range of transition-aged youth, she is especially passionate and knowledgeable in helping clients and their families navigate the complex systems of adult services and benefits as well as medical and mental health systems. She is further adept in working individually with students of all abilities to empower self-advocacy and goal achievement.

 

To schedule an appointment with one of NESCA’s expert transition specialists or neuropsychologists, please complete our online intake form. 

 

NESCA is a pediatric neuropsychology practice and integrative treatment center with offices in Newton, Plainville, and Hingham, Massachusetts; Londonderry, New Hampshire; the greater Burlington, Vermont region; and Brooklyn, NY (coaching services only), serving clients from infancy through young adulthood and their families. For more information, please email info@nesca-newton.com or call 617-658-9800.

 

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