Published on: June 9, 2016
The right to vote is one of the few rights, arguably the only right, you are entitled to when you turn 18. Voting in local and national elections helps pave the way for future legislation regarding your disability benefits-- needless to say, it is very important that you express your right to vote and are provided the accessibility to do so.
Prior to 1965 and the Voting Rights Act or the 1984 Voter Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act that was passed, polling places were inaccessible for those who suffered from a disabling condition.
4 Types of Voting Assistance in Florida
Programs such as VOTE, from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’, allow counties in Florida to receive grant based funding creating more accessibility to polling locations for those who suffer from a disabling condition.
In Florida, there are at least 4 types of voting assistance available to those who are disabled. The following outline the specifics of whichever voting assistance type you may choose to use.
1. Personal Help at the Polls
If you are a disabled voter and are wanting to exercise your right to vote during early voting or on election day, you are eligible to have a qualified person assist you without elaborating on your disability.
In order to receive this type of assistance, you either have to complete a declaration that you need assistance; or, you may have already affirmed your need for assistance when you registered to vote.
The qualified persons you receive assistance from cannot be your employer, employer’s agency or the agency of your union as it compromises the integrity of your vote. Instead, you may have two Supervisor of Elections staff members to assist you.
2. Accessible Marking Devices
For people suffering from certain disabilities, the ballot marking process may be very difficult to complete. Therefore, in Florida, by Federal and state laws, there is at least one accessible voting system, such as touch screens, at each polling location.
Each accessible voting system is designated for those who suffer from a disabling condition and is equipped to meet a minimum of 12 major categories of accessibility standards.
3. Absentee Voting
If your disabling condition is so severe that you are unable to leave your home and go vote, then you may also cast your ballot by way of absentee voting.
The ballot will be mailed to you, if when you registered to vote, you signed up for absentee voting, and you complete the ballot accordingly and from the comfort of your own home.
4. Supervised Voting
This form of assistance depends on your living facility-- assisted living or nursing home; it just depends on whether they provide supervised voting. Your absentee ballot may also be sent there upon request.
Don’t Forget to Vote—It’s Your Right Too!
Suffering from a disability shouldn’t hinder your civil right to vote as an American citizen.
The compassionate advocates at Disability Experts of Florida want to help keep you informed of your rights and to reassure you that we are on your side from applying or appealing for disability benefits to your legal right to vote.
We hope that your disability won’t bar you from getting out to vote this year and the years to come. If you need assistance registering to vote, Google recently launched a search feature that will help you learn how you can register to vote per your state's requirements.
