That's right, today is National Voter Registration Day, the highlight of National Voter Registration Month. With Election Day 2012 just six weeks away it's important to make sure you are prepared to vote.
Statistics show that people with disabilities are less likely to be registered to vote. In fact, "people with disabilities register to vote at a 16 percent lower rate than other Americans. And with 1 in 10 eligible voters having a disability, that’s a lot of people whose voices aren’t being heard." Don't let your voice go unheard. Most states, including North Carolina and South Carolina, allow citizens to register by mail. Visit this site, and learn about all the available in-person registration options, or simply download the National Mail Voter Registration Form and mail it in. For South Carolinians, internet registration is also an option, which you can learn more about here.Deadlines for mailing in voter registration forms:
North Carolina – Must be postmarked 25 days before the election or received in the elections office or designated voter registration agency site by 5 PM, 55 days before the election
South Carolina – Must be received 30 days before the election
If mobility is an issue, call the local polling precinct in advance to determine any possible accessibility issues. Although, HAVA (Help America Vote Act) requires polling stations to have at least one voting system available for persons with disabilities, that does not guarantee the accessibility of the site itself. Voting by absentee ballot may be a better option. Learn more here.
One final consideration: it is important to be an informed voter. Fortunately the MS Society is an excellent resource to learn more about issues important to people with MS, such as health care, accessibility and medical research. To see what the candidates think about these and other issues—this is a good place to start.
For further information on voting for persons with disabilities visit the American Association of People with Disabilities, here.
