Voting rights for people with disabilities-Part 1
Early this month, I got this notice from the Rochester Center for Disability Rights in Rochester, NY. Many of these folks are ADAPT members.
Here is part of the notice:
NYS Elected Officials HAVA Survey
Elected Officials Give Input to Ensure HAVA Compliance
New York State is being sued by the U.S. Department of Justice (US DOJ) for their lack of compliance with the federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA). At least one voting machine per polling place must be fully accessible. US DOJ’s March 2005 State of Mississippi opinion letter requires full access to all polling places per the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Use of federal funds also activates non-discrimination protections under Title V, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
Recipients of this notice were asked to write NY state officials to encourage them to do the right thing. Here is my letter:
As a New York State government leader, it is time for you to accept your
responsibilities and comply with federal law! New York is the worst state
in the nation when it comes to the implementation of the Help America Vote
Act (HAVA). It is incumbent upon you to provide full access to voting
machines, the ballot, and polling places per HAVA, the Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA), and through use of federal funds, Title V Section
504 of the Rehabilitation Act.
People with disabilities in New York, and in other states around our
country, should not be denied full access to their voting rights because
of the negative impact created by your indifference and/or inaction. New
York’s dubious position makes it the test case for the rest of America.
You must rise to the occasion and ACT like a leader in your state. Comply
with federal law so Americans with disabilities can have full access to
their fundamental right to vote “privately and independently” after more
than 200 years in the history of your state and our country.
I live in Washington, DC, and in 2004, I was able to vote secretly for the
first time on the touchscreen machine. It was a breeze, and I felt so
empowered! As an election judge and poll worker, I have seen firsthand
what people with disabilities endure when we don’t have access to private
and independent voting. I have seen people with disabilities coerced into
changing their vote by election judges and poll workers. Often, people
with disabilities were afforded no privacy, as workers would loudly repeat
the person’s choice of candidiates that they wanted to vote for. I was
aghast! People are so concerned with voter fraud that MAY happen with the
touchscreen machines, yet, totally disregard the voter fraud that IS being
perpetrated against people with disabilities. This scare-mongering is
being used to take away our right to secret and independent voting, and
that is totally un-American!
I implore you government leaders of the great state of New York: Don’t let
your state become a test case for discrimination against people with
disabilities. You have the power to do the right thing. Stand up, and
deliver!
Sincerely,
Anita Cameron
Now, on to Part 2…