14 steps to becoming a more involved voter in 2014

14 STEPS TO BECOMING A MORE INVOLVED VOTER IN 2014

Alicia Boehme – Disability Rights Wisconsin

Jason Endres – People First Wisconsin

John Shaw – Board for People with Developmental Disabilities

WISDOM OF JUSTIN DART JR.

Vote as if your life depends on it – because it does…..

“THE MOST COMMON WAY PEOPLE GIVE UP POWER IS BY THINKING THEY DON’T HAVE ANY”

-- ALICE WALKER

14. JOIN THE WISCONSIN DISABILITY VOTE COALITION

http://www.disabilityvote.org

WISCONSIN DISABILITY VOTE COALITION

WEBSITE/FACEBOOK PAGE

Emails Facebook page posts Resources Videos Up-to-date information! Candidate Forums JOIN TODAY

13. EDUCATE YOURSELF ON THE VOTING PROCESS

What you need to know: How to do I register to vote? How can I get an absentee ballot? Can I vote early? Where is my polling place? What do I need to bring when I go vote? If I have a guardian, can I still vote? What happens if I live in a nursing home or an

institution? Can I take someone to the polls and help them

fill out a ballot? And may more….

HOW TO FIND OUT THE ANSWERS….

Voting in Wisconsin: A guide for citizens with disabilities Guardianship brochure

Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition Website http://www.disabilityvote.org

Toll-Free hotline at DRW 800-928-8778 888-758-6049 (tty)

My Vote Wisconsin https://myvote.wi.gov/

Government Accountability Board Website http://gab.wi.gov/

WISCONSIN DISABILITY VOTE COALITION

VIDEO

12. LEARN ABOUT THE ELECTIONS Who is up for elections?

Spring v Fall Primary v. General election Election dates for 2014

Spring Elections Non-partisan & local Judges Supreme Court Justices Municipal, county and education officials

Fall Elections Partisan State Representatives (every 2 years) State Senators (every 4 years) Governor (every 4 years) Congressperson (every 2 years) U.S. Senator (every 6 years) President (4 years)

ELECTION DAYS 2014 – MARK YOUR CALENDAR

Spring Primary February 18, 2014

Spring General Election April 1, 2014

Fall Primary August 12, 2014

General Election November 4, 2014

11. TALK TO OTHERS ABOUT VOTING

Friends and family People first groups Other organizations and support groups At school Co-workers Provider packet

10. SEE IF YOUR POLLING PLACE IS ACCESSIBLE

Do polling sites need to be accessible? What does being accessible mean? Voting Day Accessibility Checklist

IDEA: Vote on the accessible machine!!

9. RUN FOR OFFICE

School board, county board, city council Or get involved in other ways:

City committee County Committee Learn local politics

8. LEARN ABOUT CHANGES TO VOTING LAWS AND CALL YOUR LEGISLATOR

State laws vary widely and make a difference Same Day Registration:

Wisconsin is a top voter-turnout state 2010 Presidential Election United States: 41% VTO Wisconsin: 52% VTO, Minnesota: 55% VTO Texas: 32% VTO

Photo ID Law Current activity at Wisconsin State Capitol

DAWN Website: www.dawninfo.org

7. ATTEND A CANDIDATES FORUM

What is a candidate forum? Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition has

sponsored them… Wisconsin Eye Summary of event

6. VOLUNTEER ON A CAMPAIGN

If you feel strongly, get involved! If you work for them they may be more likely

to work for you! Make calls Drop off literature Establish a relationship

5. BECOME A POLL WORKER

It pays! Ask to break into shifts.

4. LEARN WHERE YOUR CANDIDATES STAND ON THE ISSUES What are the issues for you?

State level issues Federal level issues Local level issues

How do I find out? Wisconsin Vote: http://wisconsinvote.org/ League of Women Voters http://www.lwvwi.org/ Call the candidate and ask TV Websites Newspapers Facebook page

BEWARE: Sort out truth

3. TAKE SOMEONE TO THE POLLS

Are you allowed to drive someone to the polls?

Can you help someone to vote? Can you tell someone how to vote?

2. REGISTER TO VOTE

Find out if you are registered to vote

Residency: 28 consecutive days

Ways to register to vote: By Mail: At the municipal clerks office At the Polling Place Special Registration Deputy

And the number one thing you can do in 2014 is…..

# 1 = VOTE

ACAP VIDEO

http://youtu.be/BCYAhraBDPw

WHAT WILL YOU PROMISE TO DO?

QUESTIONS?