Elections 2018- What’s at Stake for People with Disabilities and their Families Doria Panvini, Public Policy Committee Chair Carrie Hobbs Guiden, Executive Director The Arc Tennessee

Voting Matters! Tennessee has the poorest voter turnout in the country! People with disabilities vote even less than the general public yet are significantly impacted by many of the laws proposed and passed at the federal and state levels of government

Important election dates July 3rd - last day to register to vote in state and federal primary elections August 2nd – primary and general elections October 9th - last day to register to vote in the general election November 6th – general election Primary elections will be held for Governor, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Tennessee Senate (odd-numbered districts), and Tennessee House of Representatives. General elections will be held for applicable county offices, as well as for state judicial offices where a vacancy has occurred.

Offices up for election Federal (U.S. Congress) Senate: Senator Bob Corker’s seat (he has chosen to not run again) House: All 9 congressional seats 3 vacant seats – Districts 2, 6, 7 District 2- includes Blount, Claiborne, Grainger, Knox, and Loudon counties as well as portions of Campbell and Jefferson counties District 6 - includes all of Cannon, Clay, Coffee, Cumberland, DeKalb, Fentress, Jackson, Macon, Overton, Pickett, Putnam, Robertson, Smith, Sumner, Trousdale, White, and Wilson counties areas of Cheatham and Van Buren counties District 7 - Chester, Decatur, Giles, Hardeman, Hardin, Henderson, Hickman, Houston, Humphreys, Lawrence, Lewis, McNairy, Montgomery, Perry, Stewart, Wayne, and Williamson counties as well as areas of Benton and Maury counties

Offices up for election State Governor General Assembly Senate (odd districts) House (all seats)

Who may run for office? All persons of the age of eighteen (18) years who are citizens of the United States and of this state, and have been inhabitants of the state, county, district, or circuit for the period required by the constitution and laws of the state, are qualified to hold office under the authority Governor – at least 30 years old and citizen of state for at least 7 years TN Senator – at least 30 years old, resident of TN for 3 years and resident of county for 1 year TN Representative – at least 21 years old, resident of TN for 3 years and resident of county for 1 year US Senator - at least 30 years old, citizen of the US for at least 9 years and a resident of TN US Representative – at least 25 years old, citizen of the US for at least 7 years and a resident of TN

How do you become an official candidate? Nominating petitions are available in the Office of the Election Commission on January 5, 2018 and must be returned by April 5, 2018 at NOON. Last day to withdraw a petition is April 12, 2018 at noon. Each candidate must file an original petition signed by 25 registered voters as well as 2 certified copies. One certified copy goes to the either the State Democratic Party or the State Republican party, depending on which Primary the candidate is filing for. *Candidates currently elected to the TN General Assembly cannot raise campaign funds while the General Assembly is in session.

Significant gains for people with disabilities during the Haslam administration Closure of Tennessee’s remaining three Developmental Centers – Arlington, Cloverbottom and Greene Valley DIDD lawsuits settled Family Support Funding returned to a recurring item in the Governor’s budget ABLE TN Funding for increased DSP wages Aging caregiver law Employment and Community First CHOICES program Employment First Executive Order/ Employment First Task Force Go DBE legislation Government internships for young adults with I/DD Step UP Scholarship Positive Behavior Supports Act  

How do we keep up the momentum? Engage the candidates! Meet with them in your community Attend public forums, meetings and rallies Ask questions about issues important to you Write letters or emails to candidates with your concerns Visit their websites to see their position on important issues

What do we want candidates to understand about disability? Disability is a natural part of the human condition People with disabilities are part of every community and have the same value as people without disabilities This population includes people with developmental disabilities and people with acquired disabilities, including veterans People with disabilities often need some supports to maximize their independence and community access; parents and other family members can’t do it all forever  

What do people with disabilities need to maximize their qualify of life? Candidates need to know that they need the same things as people without disabilities! Access to affordable and reliable healthcare Access to a free and appropriate quality education Access to employment opportunities Access to affordable housing

And sometimes people with disabilities need a little more support Home and community based supports (HCBS) are necessary for people with disabilities to live, work and play in their communities, especially for Those with aging caregivers Those who have no family supports or whose family is unable to provide effective supports Those who need help to get and keep a job For children and adult children that need ongoing support because their safety is in jeopardy if left alone Those who have challenging behaviors or complex medical needs

Sometimes people with disabilities need a little more support cont. The SNAP program supplements their nutrition needs Reliable healthcare is critical so that they can pursue employment Strong education laws ensure students are educated to the best of their abilities

What’s at stake The progress that Tennessee has made for people with disabilities these past 8 years can quickly be undone with a Governor that doesn’t make our population a priority Many of our “friends” at the TN General Assembly are retiring – we need to cultivate new disability champions to support our causes (e.g. Rep. Staples, Rep. Whitsen) The federal government’s presidential and congressional agenda are trying to chip away at foundational programs that have benefitted people with disabilities – the ADA, IDEA, Medicaid, SNAP and more

How to make an impact Exercise your right to vote – this is the most important thing you can do Engage the candidates as mentioned earlier Begin developing those relationships once people are elected Educate and advocate, advocate and educate!

Questions? Doria Panvini dpanvini@comcast.net Carrie Hobbs Guiden cguiden@thearctn.org