{"id":40380,"date":"2020-02-14T18:11:55","date_gmt":"2020-02-15T00:11:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/?p=40380"},"modified":"2020-02-14T18:11:55","modified_gmt":"2020-02-15T00:11:55","slug":"the-disability-vote-in-the-2020-presidential-primary","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2020\/02\/14\/the-disability-vote-in-the-2020-presidential-primary\/","title":{"rendered":"The Disability Vote in the 2020 Presidential Primary"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>The Disability Vote in the 2020 Presidential Primary<\/strong>
\nThe CTD <\/strong>Messenger e-Newsletter<\/strong>
\nFebruary 13, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

Early Voting Starts Next Week<\/strong><\/p>\n

Mark your calendar, Early Voting for the 2020 Primary Election begins Tuesday, February 18! To show the power of the disability vote, we all must prepare to participate and ensure our elected officials are aware of, and can address, the issues that are important to us.<\/p>\n

Voting the Primaries\u2014Why it Matters!<\/strong><\/p>\n

Turning out to the polls during primaries, while less glamorous than voting in the November presidential election, still has a hefty impact. Here’s why:<\/p>\n

Presidential candidates are a big draw, but candidates in other national, state, and local elections will also be on your ballot. Much of the policy that has a direct impact on our lives happens at the state and local level; don’t miss this opportunity to select who represents you!<\/p>\n

Second, in some state races, a party is running uncontested; for example, only Republicans and no Democrats may be running for a particular office. This means that whoever wins the primary wins the election. In these cases, don’t wait for November to vote for your candidate!<\/p>\n

Finally, once elected, representatives may refer to your voting record (whether you voted in a given election, not who or what you voted for). In other words, your elected officials pay attention to whether you regularly participate in the democratic process. This could give you a boost any time you contact your legislators about making a change or issues that matter to you.<\/p>\n

2020 and the Power of the Disability Vote<\/strong><\/p>\n

People with disabilities represent about 20% of the U.S. population (that figure jumps to over 25% of eligible voters when you count family members in the same household). https:\/\/www.census.gov\/newsroom\/releases\/archives\/miscellaneous\/cb12-134.html<\/a><\/p>\n

While this community has historically faced daunting barriers at multiple points in the voting process, voter turnout of people with disabilities surged in the 2018 election. A Rutgers study concluded that 14.3 million people with disabilities voted in that election, 49.3% of eligible voters with disabilities, compared with 40.8% in 2014. https:\/\/smlr.rutgers.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/2018disabilityturnout.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n

In Texas, a 2018 study by Austin Community College reflected this trend at the state level and confirmed what many of us have observed for years: Texans with disabilities are politically engaged and vote in extraordinary numbers. In the 2016 General Election, for example, 72.1% of 868,763 Texans with accessible parking placards voted compared to 62.5% of all voters. http:\/\/www.revuptexas.org\/new-acc-study-reveals-texas-sized-disability-voting-bloc\/<\/a><\/p>\n

The disability community represents an important and potentially influential voting bloc. To make the disability vote count, people with disabilities need to be actively involved in the election process and press candidates to give their positions on issues that affect them and their families. Candidates that support the equality and full inclusion of disabled people will benefit from the power of the disability vote.<\/p>\n

Do you vote by mail? Check your signature!<\/strong>
\nSignature discrepancies on mail in ballots may cause your vote to go uncounted! Make sure the signature on your mail in BALLOT is as close as possible to the to the signature on your vote by mail APPLICATION. https:\/\/www.sos.texas.gov\/elections\/voter\/reqabbm.shtml<\/a><\/p>\n

You must request your mail in ballot by Friday, February 21, 2020 to vote in the primaries.<\/p>\n

Election Protection Hotline<\/strong>
\nIf you encounter problems at the polls on Election Day, call any of the Texas Election Protection Hotlines:<\/p>\n

English: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)
\nSpanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682)
\nAsian Languages\/ English: 888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683)
\nArabic\/ English: 844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287)
\nAmerican Sign Language (video call): 301-818-VOTE (301-818-8683)
\nDisability Rights Texas: 888-796-VOTE (888-796-8683)
\nMore info: https:\/\/texasvoterprotection.org\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Handy resources<\/strong><\/p>\n

The presidential race is getting all the headlines<\/strong>, but a ton of important state level races are happening too! Compare candidate profiles and find your polling place with The League of Women Voters Texas Voters Guide. https:\/\/my.lwv.org\/texas\/voters-guide<\/a><\/p>\n

Add key 2020 election dates to your calendar<\/strong>. The Texas Tribune has the WHENs covered, right through Election Day in November. Add key Texas dates to your Google Calendar or iCal in one click. https:\/\/www.texastribune.org\/2020\/01\/09\/add-texas-2020-election-dates-your-calendar\/<\/a><\/p>\n

Check your voter registration status<\/strong> with the Secretary of State’s office. Look it up using your birthdate and either your Voter ID #, Texas Driver’s License #, or name and county. Am I Registered? https:\/\/teamrv-mvp.sos.texas.gov\/MVP\/mvp.do<\/a><\/p>\n

Coalition of Texans with Disabilities
\n1716 San Antonio Street
\nAustin, Texas 78701
\n(512) 478-3366
\ninfo@txdisabilities.org<\/p>\n

http:\/\/www.TXDisabilities.org<\/a><\/p>\n

The Coalition of Texans with Disabilities (CTD) is Texas\u2019 oldest and largest cross-disability advocacy organization. CTD is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with Federal Tax ID #74-2071160. Contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.<\/p>\n

SOURCE:\u00a0http:\/\/salsa3.salsalabs.com\/o\/50324\/t\/0\/blastContent.jsp?email_blast_KEY=1405476<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Disability Vote in the 2020 Presidential Primary The CTD Messenger e-Newsletter February 13, 2020 Early Voting Starts Next Week Mark your calendar, Early Voting for the 2020 Primary Election begins Tuesday, February 18! To show the power of the…<\/p>\n

Read more →<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_crdt_document":"","advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2],"tags":[7886,26744,26742,26743,6031],"class_list":["post-40380","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-deaf-news","tag-coalition-of-texans-with-disabilities","tag-disability-vote","tag-early-voting","tag-presidential-primary","tag-vote"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p752R-avi","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":24597,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2013\/09\/12\/disability-voting-action-project-2013\/","url_meta":{"origin":40380,"position":0},"title":"Disability Voting Action Project 2013","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"September 12, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Disability Voting Action Project 1640A East 2nd St Austin, Texas 78702 512-442-0252 http:\/\/www.adaptoftexas.org Dear Disability Rights and Services Advocates: Disability Voting Action Project We have recently started the Disability Voting Action Project of Texas.(DVAP) This is a non partisan project that hopes to involve people with disabilities and their supporters\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":4211,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2008\/09\/22\/voting-workshop-for-people-with-disabilities-special-needs\/","url_meta":{"origin":40380,"position":1},"title":"Voting Workshop for People with Disabilities & Special Needs!","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"September 22, 2008","format":false,"excerpt":"For Immediate Release! September 19, 2008 Media Contact: Nathaniel Klugman, Coalition for Texans with Disabilities, 512-478-3366 Tracey Michol tmmichol@hotmail.com Voting Workshop for People with Disabilities & Special Needs! On Monday, September 22nd at 4:30 PM in Fort Worth, Texas, anyone who has a disability or special need can attend a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":5861,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2009\/03\/26\/voting-workshop-for-people-with-disabilities-dfw\/","url_meta":{"origin":40380,"position":2},"title":"Voting Workshop for People with disAbilities – DFW","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"March 26, 2009","format":false,"excerpt":"Preliminary Announcement! Voting Workshop for People with disAbilities Local Elections are Important! Local elections are opportunities for our voices to be heard by those who serve in elected offices, including our city councils and school boards. On Saturday, April 4, 2009, you will learn about the Importance of Voting, Voting\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":34375,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2016\/10\/06\/san-antonio-vote-bexar-county-elections-dhh-workshop-101016\/","url_meta":{"origin":40380,"position":3},"title":"San Antonio Vote-Bexar County Elections D\/HH Workshop 10\/10\/16","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"October 6, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"SA Vote-Bexar County Elections Deaf & Hard of Hearing Workshop Bexar County Deaf & Hard of Hearing Workshop Are you registered to vote? Do you know what to do?? Date: Monday, October 10, 2016 Time: 3:00 PM to 5:30 PM Address: Bexar County Elections Dept 1103 S. Frio Suite 100\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"vote-sa-bexar-county-elections-2016a","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/10\/Vote-SA-Bexar-County-Elections-2016a-1024x786.jpg?resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":613,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2006\/10\/17\/voting-hotline-flyer-by-advocacy-inc\/","url_meta":{"origin":40380,"position":4},"title":"Voting Hotline Flyer by Advocacy, Inc.","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"October 17, 2006","format":false,"excerpt":"Advocacy, Inc. will have a hotline during the November election for individuals with disabilities who have questions about voting or encounter problems while voting. You will find a copy of our flyer. (See below) If you are interested in receiving copies of the flyer to distribute please contact Laurie at\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "General"","block_context":{"text":"General","link":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/category\/deaf-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":41297,"url":"https:\/\/deafnetwork.com\/wordpress\/blog\/2020\/10\/09\/webinar-jobseekers-club-disability-voting-rights-hosted-by-dallas-public-library\/","url_meta":{"origin":40380,"position":5},"title":"Webinar: Jobseekers Club & Disability Voting Rights Hosted by Dallas Public Library","author":"Grant Laird Jr","date":"October 9, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Webinar: Dallas Public Library disability rights programs My name is Alicia and I work at the Dallas Public Library. I wanted to inform your agency that we have 2 adult programs scheduled for persons with disabilities. 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