La jornada electoral es MAÑANA: consejos para votar en persona

Los últimos días de las elecciones generales presidenciales están aquí. Para aquellos de ustedes que aún no han votado, votar en persona es la mejor opción para asegurarse de que su voto cuente. Los protocolos de seguridad para manejar la pandemia significan que votar en persona este año será diferente a otras elecciones. Los votantes deben esperar tiempos de espera más largos de lo habitual, seguir las pautas de distanciamiento social y usar máscaras por su propia seguridad y la seguridad de sus compañeros votantes y trabajadores electorales. Los lugares de votación pueden no estar donde estuvieron en elecciones pasadas. Puede encontrar su lugar de votación en el ​sitio web de la Secretaría de Estado​.

Para asegurarse de que los votantes tengan el mejor día de elecciones posible, aquí hay algunas cosas que debe llevar a su lugar de votación o centro de votación:

  • Si es posible, traiga la boleta que recibió por correo.
  • Cualquier material que tenga que le permitirá votar
    rápidamente, como una boleta de muestra completa o el
    gran folleto gris de la oficina electoral de su condado.
  • Agua
  • Aperitivos
  • Silla plegable
  • Ropa en capas apropiada para el clima (protección solar /
    ropa de lluvia, etc.)
  • Cualquier medicamento que tome en un horario
  • Use zapatos cómodos
  • El número de teléfono de Disability Rights California, línea directa de asistencia al votante es: VOICE – 1.888.569.7955 o TTY – 1.800.719.5798 en caso de que tenga problemas de accesibilidad en su lugar de votación.

No permita que las líneas y los procedimientos lo desanimen de votar este año. Su voto es su voz y, al usarlo, juega un papel importante en hacer que la comunidad de personas con discapacidad sea escuchada en nuestra democracia.

Guides for Supporting Voters with Disabilities in Your Life

Register to Vote

TODAY, Monday, October 19th is the last day to register to vote. If you haven’t registered yet click the button above and register now.

Voting is our voice in our democracy. Using that voice is the way we each make our own decisions about what we want for our country. These decisions are complex for all of us, so much so that sometimes people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) are sometimes left out. It doesn’t need to be this way.

The Disability Vote California coalition created two helpful guides, one for family members and supporters, and one for service providers. The guides offer practical advice and resources on how to use Supported Decision-Making to help the people with I/DD in your life make their own choices in this and every other election. You can find the guides here:

A democracy is at its strongest when every voice is heard with equal clarity. This must include the voices of people with I/DD. Please support the voters with disabilities in your life as there is no easier way to make an immediate, positive impact than through the ​power of our vote.

For more information and resources to empower California’s disability vote visit www.DisabilityVoteCA.org

 

 

 

 

Questions about Voting? Disability Vote California Voter Office Hours are Here to Help

Join members of Disability Vote California online for virtual Voter Office Hours each Tuesday from 3:00 – 4:00 PM from now through election day. Voting experts from The Arc of California, California Foundation for Independent Living Centers | Disability Organization Network, Disability Rights California, and the State Council on Developmental Disabilities will be available each week to answer any questions you might have about voting in the election. If you have questions about voting by mail, drop boxes, voting in person, voting accessibility, or anything else please drop by!

Anyone with a question about voting can join. Traducción en español esta disponible.

Join the Voter Office Hours to ask your questions by visiting bit.ly/votersca or watch live on the following Facebook pages The Arc of CaliforniaSCDD, or CFILC.

Join us Tomorrow for the Facebook Premiere Event: Election 2020 It’s Your Choice

Join us on our Facebook page TOMORROW October 6th at 4:00 PM for the premiere of Election 2020 It’s Your Choice, a non-partisan roundtable discussion on how voters with disabilities make decisions before we vote.

Our vote is our voice. Yet finding credible sources of information is challenging for every voter. So much so that voting itself can be intimidating. Our democracy is important, and it needs all of our voices to work.

Election 2020 It’s Your Choice offers an informative, calm alternative to the partisan shouting. If you are planning to vote in the upcoming election join us tomorrow.

Speakers:

  • Sascha Bittner, Voter and Activist
  • Howard McBroom, Advocate, Easterseals
  • Kecia Weller, Self-Advocacy and Community Liaison, UCLA Tarjan Center
  • Wesley Witherspoon, Consumer Advocate USC UCEDD
  • Moderator: Christian McMahon, The Arc of California

Ballot Measures 101

Ballot measure, also known as Propositions, are a piece of proposed legislation that is either approved or rejected by voters rather than legislators. This year Californians will vote on 12 different statewide propositions, some of which will directly impact people with disabilities. With all the media surrounding propositions with message to support or reject certain propositions it can be hard to tell what the proposition would actual do and the impact it could potentially have on the day to day lives of Californians. Propositions are direct democracy and your vote on each matters. This year the Propositions are numbered from Prop 14 – Prop 25. Below is a summary of each and if you want to read (or hear through the audio file on the website) the full text of any of the Propositions you can find them in the Voter’s Guide on the Secretary of State website at: https://voterguide.sos.ca.gov/propositions/index.htm

 

Prop 14 AUTHORIZES BONDS CONTINUING STEM CELL RESEARCH.

Authorizes $5.5 billion state bonds for: stem cell and other medical research, including training; research facility construction; administrative costs. Dedicates $1.5 billion to brain-related diseases. Appropriates General Fund moneys for repayment. Expands related programs.

Prop 15 INCREASES FUNDING SOURCES FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY COLLEGES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT SERVICES BY CHANGING TAX ASSESSMENT OF COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY.

Taxes such properties based on current market value, instead of purchase price.

Prop 16 ALLOWS DIVERSITY AS A FACTOR IN PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT, EDUCATION, AND CONTRACTING DECISIONS. LEGISLATIVE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT.

Permits government decision-making policies to consider race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in order to address diversity by repealing constitutional provision prohibiting such policies. Fiscal Impact: No direct fiscal effect on state and local entities.

Prop 17 RESTORES RIGHT TO VOTE AFTER COMPLETION OF PRISON TERM.

Restores voting rights upon completion of prison term to persons who have been disqualified from voting while serving a prison term

Prop 18 AMENDS CALIFORNIA CONSTITUTION TO PERMIT 17-YEAR-OLDS TO VOTE IN PRIMARY AND SPECIAL ELECTIONS IF THEY WILL TURN 18 BY THE NEXT GENERAL ELECTION AND BE OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE TO VOTE

Allow first-time voters to participate in a full election cycle provided that they are 18 by the time of the general election.

Prop 19 CHANGES CERTAIN PROPERTY TAX RULES.

Allows homeowners who are over 55, disabled, or wildfire/disaster victims to transfer primary residence’s tax base to replacement residence. Changes taxation of family-property transfers. Establishes fire protection services fund

Prop 20 RESTRICTS PAROLE FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES CURRENTLY CONSIDERED TO BE NON-VIOLENT. AUTHORIZES FELONY SENTENCES FOR CERTAIN OFFENSES CURRENTLY TREATED ONLY AS MISDEMEANORS

Limits access to parole program established for non-violent offenders who have completed the full term of their primary offense by eliminating eligibility for certain offenses.

Prop 21 EXPANDS LOCAL GOVERNMENTS’ AUTHORITY TO ENACT RENT CONTROL ON RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY.

Allows local governments to establish rent control on residential properties over 15 years old. Local limits on rate increases may differ from statewide limit.

Prop 22 EXEMPTS APP-BASED TRANSPORTATION AND DELIVERY COMPANIES FROM PROVIDING EMPLOYEE BENEFITS TO CERTAIN DRIVERS.

Classifies app-based drivers as “independent contractors,” instead of “employees,” and provides independent-contractor drivers other compensation, unless certain criteria are met.

Prop 23 ESTABLISHES STATE REQUIREMENTS FOR KIDNEY DIALYSIS CLINICS. REQUIRES ON-SITE MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL.

Requires physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant on site during dialysis treatment. Prohibits clinics from reducing services without state approval. Prohibits clinics from refusing to treat patients based on payment source. F

Prop 24 AMENDS CONSUMER PRIVACY LAWS.

Permits consumers to: prevent businesses from sharing personal information, correct inaccurate personal information, and limit businesses’ use of “sensitive personal information,” including precise geolocation, race, ethnicity, and health information. Establishes California Privacy Protection Agency.

Prop 25 REFERENDUM ON LAW THAT REPLACED MONEY BAIL WITH SYSTEM BASED ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND FLIGHT RISK.

A “Yes” vote approves, and a “No” vote rejects, law replacing money bail with system based on public safety and flight risk.

 

Nuevas guías de una página en lenguaje sencillo para votantes con discapacidades

¡La temporada de elecciones ya está encima de nosotros, y es hora de que la comunidad de personas con discapacidades cumplamos con nuestra parte!

Las elecciones de este otoño serán diferentes a cualquier otra que hayamos experimentado debido a la pandemia de COVID-19. Todos los votantes registrados de California recibiremos nuestras boletas electorales por correo. Después de eso, tenemos varias opciones para votar desde casa o votar en persona. La guía en lenguaje accesible sobre ​Cómo puede votar en 2020 ​explica esas opciones. Esta guía también está disponible en ​español​.

Antes de que podamos votar, debemos estar registrados. La guía en lenguaje accesible ​¡Regístrese, cambie vidas!​ explica cómo registrarse para votar. Esta guía también está disponible en español​.

Ambas guías y muchos más recursos sobre cómo votar por la comunidad de personas con discapacidades de California se pueden encontrar en​ www.DisabilityVoteCA.org​. Comparta las guías con cualquier persona de su red que crea que se beneficiaría de ellas.

Election Day is Almost Here!

Tomorrow, Tuesday March 3, is election day in California! This means that we have the opportunity to make our voices heard in support of the candidates and laws that we think will make the country and state work best for people with disabilities.

This video explains why your vote matters and give examples of what to expect when you go to vote:

If you are eligible to vote, but not sure if you are registered or if you have not yet registered, you may still be able to vote using same day voter registration / conditional voter registration.

To learn more about what the presidential primary candidates have planned for the disability community our blog post has links to each candidates policy plan.

No matter how you vote your voice matters – now get out there and vote!

Participate in Elected for Inclusion: A Presidential Forum on Disability Issues

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) and REV UP Texas will host Elected for Inclusion, a national nonpartisan Presidential candidate forum on disability issues. Elected for Inclusion will take place on January 13, 2020 at the AT&T Hotel and Convention Center in Austin, Texas. The forum will give major party Presidential candidates an opportunity to address questions and discuss policy decisions that affect approximately 23% of the American electorate.

Below are a few ways to get involved with the forum and promoting disability rights in the upcoming elections.

  • Spread the word about the forum and purchase tickets for $10.
  • If you are unable to attend the forum in person then host a watch party and tune in through our livestream. Check out AAPD’s website for more information about watch party options.
  • Become an official sponsor for the forum! Email Maria Town (mmtown@aapd.com) for more information about sponsorship opportunities.
  • Post on social media about the importance of the disability vote, and tag the candidates in posts about attending the forum. Please use hashtags: #REVUP #Elected4Inclusion #CripTheVote.