Voter Rights for

People with Disabilities

Ways to Increase Access to Voting for

Disenfranchised People

• Polling location entry ways aren’t accessible.

• Voting machines don’t work properly and poll workers don’t know how to fix them.

• Poll workers aren’t trained on disability etiquette..

• There isn’t any privacy shields during voting.

• Violating people with disabilities voting rights is version of voter suppression. It’s hard for our voice to be heard.

• Many people with disabilities experience their voting rights violated. One of those people is even First Blind Supreme Justice, Richard Bernstein. https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2020/06/26/blind-michigan-supreme-court-justice-is-turned-away-by-clerks-office-when-trying-to-get-absentee-ballot/

What are a few issues people with disabilities have with Voting Access?

What happened to Richard Bernstein?

• He tried to get his absentee ballot in Birmingham and get assistance filling it out, but they didn’t know the protocol, so they turned him away.

• To help combat this a few months earlier, there were a lawsuit by the National Federation of the Blind that forced The State Secretary Jocelyn Benson to provide accessible ballots online for blind and blind deaf Michigan residents.

• More about this case later!

Since March 2019, a small group of organizations, Detroit Disability Power, Warriors on Wheels, Greater Detroit Agency for the Blind and Visually Impaired, have started to meet with the City of Detroit Department of Election staff.

This was a result of the poorly ran elections in 2018. Shortly after November 2018 and March 2020, we asked disabled people to fill out a survey if they had an bad experience. Here are some of the issues Metro Detroiters with disabilities experience in the March 2020 elections. 2018 survey showed similar problems. https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HF1oCBKv6WljyVs6F8jGOHYwjWQHrStJ/view?usp=sharing

We meet with them to discuss how to make voting more accessible to people with disabilities according to the law.

We’ve discussed and visited inaccessible polling locations, training of poll workers, hiring people with disabilities to train poll workers and be actual poll workers and a making sure voting machines works or know how to quickly fix them.

My work with People with Disabilities Voting Rights Coalition.

Recommendations on holding your City Clerk more accountable

You can start by calling your City Clerk telling them about your experiences.

You can always start your own group or participate in voting rights organization to advocate on your or people with disabilities behalf.

If your voting rights are violated and you can prove systemic oppression of violating your civil rights like in the Blind and Visually Challenge community, you can sue.

In fact, National Federation of the Blind filed a lawsuit.

https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2020/05/09/blind-michigan-voters-use-electronic-absentee-ballots-for-first-time/

Next, I would like to pass it to Lacy Dawson, Senior Voting Rights Manager from ACLU.

We must continue to build our confidence and the confidence of our constituents about the the state of democracy in the country and our ability to make much needed change.

PUBLIC EDUCATION

LOCAL CLERK ENGAGEMENT

Making Sure Michigan Voting System Works for All!

Building Confidence in a Time of Uncertainty• Our Secretary of State and organizations across the state are

working to ensure that our elections are secure and protected.

• Voters can track the status of their absentee ballots and verify their voter registration information.

• Keep information trust worthy and positive

mvic.sos.state.mi.us

Your Voice Matters

Michigan Timeline for Early Voting

Michigan Timeline for Early Voting

• Voters can request a ballot by mail.Starting 75 Days Before Election

• Voters can apply for & vote an absentee ballot in person.Starting 45 Days Before Election

• Clerk’s office must be open 8 hours the weekend before.Weekend Before Election

• Voters can register and vote at the clerk’s office until 4pm.Day before Election Day

• ONLY voters who need to register to vote or update their address can vote at the clerk’s office.Election Day

NO REASON ABSENTEE VOTING

Voting Rights Implemented in 2019

NO REASON ABSENTEE VOTING

All Registered Voters in

Michiganhave the

Right to Voteby

MailIt's a safe way to vote and protect your health, and the process is secure and accurate.

Voting Rights Implemented in 2019

NO REASON ABSENTEE VOTINGInstructions for Voting By Mail in 2020

All Registered Michigan Voters should have received an application for voting absentee in the mail due to the COVID Pandemic.

If a voter has not received their Absentee Ballot Application in the mail, they can download the form at www.Michigan.gov/sos or through their location clerks office.

FIND YOUR LOCAL CLERKMichigan.gov/Vote or https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/

Keep in mind that COVID 19 has had an impact on the length of time it take for mail to be delivered.

Voting Rights Implemented in 2019

NO REASON ABSENTEE VOTING

Instructions for Voting By Mail in 2020

Once the application has been secured. Voters should apply to receive their 2020 Ballot in the Mail. Voters should make sure that they sign their application with the same signature that they used on their drivers' license. The SOS and Clerks offices do perform signature matches to verify identity.

Voters should sign and return their completed Absentee Ballot Applications to their local clerk's office via mail, in person visits or drop box. Please note when mailing your application provide enough time for the clerk to receive your application and return your ballot. You must also allow enough time for you to fill out your ballot and return it to your clerk.

Keep in mind that COVID 19 has had an impact on the length of time it take for mail to be delivered.

Voting Rights Implemented in 2019

NO REASON ABSENTEE VOTING

PERMANENT ABSENTEE VOTER LISTYou can check a box on your Absentee Ballot Application that request that you be added to the permanent absent voter list, you'll get an application mailed to you before every election

Also Note!Even if you apply to vote by mail

you can change your mind and vote in person.

Voter Registration

REGISTER TO VOTE ANYTIME

In Michigan You can register to vote through Election Day!Some clerk’s offices have opened satellite offices for voter registration.

To be eligible to register to vote you must be:

•A Michigan resident (at the time you register) and a resident of your city or township for at least 30 days (when you vote)

•A United States citizen

•At least 18 years of age (when you vote)•Not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison

REGISTER TO VOTE ANYTIME

In Michigan You can register to vote through Election Day!Some clerk’s offices have opened satellite offices for voter registration.

In order to register to vote, you must show proof of where you live.

Proof of residency must have your name and current address listed.

The Secretary of States office allow you to show a digital copy of any document.

Acceptable documents include:• Michigan driver’s license or State ID card• Current utility bill• Bank statement• Paycheck or government check• Other government document

REGISTER TO VOTE ANYTIME

• Newly registered voters can vote absentee at their clerk’s office or their polling place on Election Day.

• Military and overseas civilian voters have additional options to register. For more information visit michigan.gov/sos

On-Line Voter RegistrationMichigan Law now permits residents of the State of Michigan with a valid driver's license or personal

identification card to register online.

https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/registervoter

Student Voter Registration TipsOnline voter registration is available to Michigan driver’s license and state ID holders at: https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/registervoter

You may also register in-person through Election Day at your municipal clerk’s office. Proof of residence is required if registering on or after the 14th day before an election, including on Election Day. You CANNOT register to vote at a polling place.

Students have a choice!

Students attending college may register at their campus address or choose to remain registered or register at their permanent or home address.

You may only be registered and vote in one location.

Straight Party Voting

Straight Party Voting

A Little Back StoryMichigan – abolished STV in 2016 (SB 13). In July 2016, a U.S. District Court decision found the abolishment of STV disportionally affected African-Americans and placed a preliminary injunction on enforcing the law for the 2016 election. In September 2018 the U.S. Sixth Court of Appeals said plaintiffs were unlikely to win their appeal and ordered the ban to take effect. The plaintiffs appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court which denied a request to keep STV for the 2018 general election, so it was not an option for that election. However, voters passed

Proposal 3 Protected our rights to Vote Straight Party!In November 2018 that amended the constitution allowing voters to cast a straight-ticket vote for all candidates of a particular political party when voting in a partisan general election, thus reestablishing STV in the state.

Great Resources

Great Resources

Michigan Voter Information Centerwww.mi.gov/vote

• Check your voter registration• Confirm your registered at your current address• Find out when the next election is in your community• Find your polling location• View a sample ballot• Location(s), phone number, & hours for your city/township clerk

www.michiganvoted.org

The Road Ahead

What can you do?• Volunteer!• Share trusted information on your social media sites.• Educate, Motivate & Mobilize • Encourage!

What can you do?