Disabled population encouraged to register to vote

National Disability Voter Registration Week is July 11-15, and the staff at Disability Rights and Resource Center in Rocky Mount is encouraging the disabled population to register to vote in the November election.

"With the 2016 election ahead of us, it is critical to reach anyone wishing to take a stand and vote this year," said Barb Magill, communications director for DRRC. "Sadly, many with disabilities do not know how they can register so their vote can be counted."

The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD) has started the REV Up (register, educate, vote and use your power) campaign to get more people with disabilities and their supporters registered and voting.

Virginians with disabilities can greatly influence the outcome of the Nov. 8 Virginia General Election, according to the AAPD. There are 57 million Americans with disabilities and issues important to people with disabilities must be part of the platform for any candidate running for office.

"Vote as if your life depends on it ? because it does!" said Justin Dart Jr., the father of the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act).

The AAPD states that this may be one of the most important elections in over a decade.

"The disability community including people with disabilities, family members, attendants, providers, professionals, advocates and supporters, has a major stake in the outcome of this election," it said. "Their vote on issues like adequate funding and coverage for Medicaid acute and long term services and supports; waiting lists for home and community services; consolidation and closure of public institutions; integrated employment at no less than minimum wage; accessible, affordable, integrated housing; adequate funding for quality public and higher education, can make a difference."

Of the 56,360 people that make up the Franklin County population, 7,964 have disabilities and are of legal voting age. That's over 14 percent of Franklin County's population. For Rocky Mount alone, that is 5 percent of the population ? or one out of every five votes.

Anyone at least 18 years old on Election Day can register to vote, as long as they are not in jail or on parole for a felony conviction or have not had their right to vote removed by a judge in a guardianship hearing.

Persons with disabilities have the right to vote by themselves and make their own choices. They have the right to get help from a person of their choice or an election worker. They have the right to a physically accessible polling place and the use of an accessible voting machine. They also have the right to vote if they have a guardian unless a court determines otherwise.

Disabled persons also have the right to election accommodations on Election Day by requesting to move to the front of the line. They are able to bring assistance, use headphones to hear their ballot, have sample ballots in alternative format, have accessible parking, have temporary ramps, use a communication board, access voting machines for voters in wheelchairs and use different colored voting screens.

Registration forms can be found locally at DRRC, Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Franklin County Registrar's office, Franklin County Library, at the Armed Forces recruitment office at many post offices, high schools and social services offices.

Registration forms can be picked up and mailed in. Offices providing the registration forms must also help disabled persons complete the forms unless they refuse assistance.

There is no fee to register to vote.

Those eligible can also register online at Virginia Department of Elections at vote.elections.virginia.gov/VoterInformation or elections.virginia.gov. Registrants will receive a voter registration card in the mail within 30 days of registering.

In addition to voting in person on Election Day, voters can also choose to vote by completing an Annual Application for ballot by mail (disabled voters receive a mail ballot for all elections held during a calendar year) or a regular application for ballot by mail (disabled voters submit an application beginning January 1 but not later than 5 p.m. on the Tuesday prior to the election).

This can be accomplished by calling the Virginia Department of Elections at (804) 864-8901 or completing the application at elections.virginia.gov.

Disabled persons also have the option of early voting (within 45 days prior to the election) or curbside voting. With curbside voting, those 65 or older or any person with a physical disability may ask an election official to bring their ballot to their vehicle or to the entrance of the polling place. The voter will be afforded every opportunity to vote in a private and independent fashion. All voting equipment must remain in the view of the election officers. Those choosing this option may vote curbside during early voting or on Election Day.

A form of identification is needed in order to vote. The ID can include a valid Virginia Driver's License or ID card, a valid Virginia DMV-issued Veteran's ID card, a valid U.S. Passport or other government-issued photo ID card, a tribal enrollment or other tribal ID issued by one of the 11 tribes recognized by the Commonwealth of Virginia, a valid college or university student photo ID card (must be from an institution of higher education located in Virginia), a valid student ID issued by a public school or private school in Virginia displaying a photo, an employee identification card containing a photo of the voter and issued by an employer of the voter in the ordinary course of the employer's business, or a voter Photo ID card issued by the Virginia Department of Elections.

The last day to register to vote in the general election is Oct. 17.

Early voting begins on Sept. 23 and ends on Nov. 5 at 5 p.m.

The last day to apply for a ballot by mail is Nov. 1.

The last day to submit a ballot by mail is Nov. 8 by 7 p.m.

The DRRC urges all residents to register and to make their votes count in the 2016 election.

For assistance or for other questions, contact the DRRC at (540) 482-0752.