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Why??? Why should people with intellectual and developmental disabilities vote? The answer to this question is really quite simple…. POWER! Your voice, your vote is POWERFUL and you have the right to vote. Unfortunately, I have heard, on more than one occasion, people discount, under-value and all but count out the I/DD community when it comes to voting or making a difference in any election. The wise words of Mary Gonzalez and Greg Galluzzo, two people who are very near and dear to my heart, keep coming to mind… they have both said at different times that “the disability community has played the powerless card too long” and that to become powerful you have to give up the powerless card. Mary and Greg, for those that don’t know them or have never had the privilege to hear them speak, are two of the most gifted community organizers I have ever met. They remind us that building power is hard but an absolute necessity when it comes to the ability to affect change. One of the many gifts they both possess is the ability to provide a strong dose of reality through very direct communication…. they are well known for just saying it like it is!
The last time I heard Greg speak he told an audience of about 200 self-advocates, parents, families members and service providers that people with I/DD know how to play the powerless card and that it is based in “see how needy I am” or “see how weak I am” and believe me it wasn’t said with any sort of pity. Greg basically shook the room and told everyone to get off their rears (obviously edited) and stop playing the powerless card. He reminded us that having power is a GREAT thing and with it comes responsibility. I would argue that voting is a right and a responsibility that is one of many avenues to building power. The better question would be “Why wouldn’t you vote?” The power base that Mary and Greg talk about is in the connectedness of people and communities and the more connected, the more power and the stronger the community. What would happen if every person with I/DD that was an eligible voter registered and voted? Could this community sway an election? Could this community demand and get equal access to the political process? Could this community demand and get systemic changes to address affordable housing, transportation, employment and other essentials to living a full and independent life? The answer to all of these questions is yes IF you have the power to do it. Your vote is part of your power so don’t be afraid to take it!
In 2016 California passed a new law called the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) which modernized elections by allowing counties to conduct elections under a new model that provides for greater flexibility and convenience for voters. Implementation of the VCA begins with this year’s elections in 14 counties with the rest of the counties being phased in by 2020. It gives voters 3 options for voting- mail the ballot, drop the ballot in a secure county drop box or visit any voter center in the county. This new law lets voters choose how, when and where to vote and also provides support at Vote Centers to help voters with disabilities. To find out more about the Voter’s Choice Act click here.
The deadline to register to vote for the June 2018 primary election is May 21, 2018. For information on registering to vote click here.
Teresa Anderson, Policy Director, The Arc of California