PROJECT Presented by: Blurry Screen Slide 1

Purpose of the Training To Learn About Voting issues How to register to vote How to go to the polls and vote Where you can vote What might get in your way when you go to vote. How to build connections across local and state agencies, self-advocates, family members, elected officials and legislators to increase voting participation of people with disabilities. Slide 2

Get to Know Each Other Instructions: Use these questions to interview your partner and get to know them. Ask your partner: What is your name? Where are you from? What is the reason you came to this training? What would you be doing if you were not working today? Slide 3

How Voting Fits Into Your Life Slide 4

How has voting made a difference in the lives of people with disabilities? Slide 5

Things to Vote On County Commissioner President City Council Members Taxes, Bonds School Board Members Measures, Propositions, Issues President Senator Representative Governor Mayor Slide 6

Vote For Your Favorite Candy Chocolate Lollipop Hard Candy Slide 7

Registering to Vote Slide 8

Who Can Register to Vote in the USA? Basic federal rules to be able to register to vote: You must be 18 years old You must be a resident in your community and live our state for at least ____ days before the election You must be a citizen of the United States You do not have to read, write, or be able to use the voting machines Slide 9

Who Can Register ? To register to vote in our state: What does our state say about being in jail? What does our state say about being declared “incompetent to vote”? What do our state ID rules say? Our state says you must be registered to vote # days before the election to vote. Put Your State Map Here Slide 10

Places People Can Register to Vote Post office Town halls Grocery stores Libraries Department of Human Resources Department of Public Health Medicaid Agency Department of Rehab Services–Voc Rehab Slide 11

Places People Can Register to Vote Some four-year Universities Some Colleges Where you get your id On-line on the web Go to govoter.org, click on state contacts, then click on your state for your Secretary of State’s information about voting Slide 12

Places People Can Register to Vote Election Board Disability provider agencies examples: Arc and Centers for Independent Living League of Woman Voters Are there any other ways that people can register to vote? Slide 13

Support OTHERS to Register When you help people register to vote it is called a Voter Registration Drive To host a voter registration drive our state does/does not ask you to take a class? You need to turn in registration forms by add date here Add any other information about Your State registration here Slide 14

Rights and Responsibilities Slide 15

Voting Rights The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) is a federal law that makes voting accessible and says states must: Make sure that everyone can vote privately and independently Set up a statewide system to give people provisional ballots if there is a question about whether they can vote Create statewide computerized voter lists Makes sure polling places have access Slide 16

Voting Rights You can bring someone you trust to help you vote: poll workers can not deny you this support person There are some people who can not help you vote: your boss union officer from your job candidate who is on the ballot Slide 17

Voting Rights You can ask for help from election officials from two different parties. Poll workers can help you with the voting process. Poll workers can not tell you who to vote for or explain the issues in simpler terms. Slide 18

Voting Rights You can get a new ballot if you make a mistake Everyone makes mistakes sometimes and it is your right to be given a new ballot if you make a mistake on your first one. You can get up to two replacement ballot. Slide 19

Voting Rights You can ask for a provisional ballot if you are told that you can’t vote for some reason. But states may not count these ballots, so it is best to ask them to show proof of why you cannot vote before asking for a provisional ballot. Slide 20

Voting Rights You do not need to have a disability to use these machines. The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) says that every polling place must have an accessible voting booth to help people vote privately and independently. Slide 21

Voting Responsibilities Make sure you are registered to vote Know the issues and candidates Ask questions if you need some help Slide 22

Voting Responsibilities Be a role model as an informed voter. Get out and vote! Help someone else to learn how to vote Celebrate your choice and your voice Slide 23

Voting Responsibilities Get involved, in other ways, with voting and elections. Call your Election Board to find out where you can register to vote and vote on election day. Slide 24

Voting Responsibilities Ask a poll worker for voting information in Braille, in large print, on tape, or in other accessible formats. The League of Woman Voters is available to support you in getting information on candidates and issues. In some states they make an “easy to read” voters guide. Slide 25

My Vote They say I can’t vote They say the decision is not mine They say I don’t understand I guess they think they are being kind I wonder what they would say or think if they only knew That when they call the President “Our President”, I want to call him mine too If I never get the chance to vote – pulling the lever, punching the card or writing his name down. Slide 26

My Vote I stay the same, - dumb, misinformed, unchanged, un-empowered. That is what this world expects me to be. But I want so much more. I want to be the most educated – the most informed – the most totally changed – the most totally empowered person that I can be when I vote. I can make a difference and then I can say with pride, “Not yours, not theirs, but my President because I put him there.” Slide 27

Ways to Learn About Candidates and Issues Slide 28

Ways to Learn About Candidates and Issues Have a Legislative Day Call for an appointment with your legislator Look up candidates voting records Read your local newspaper. Cut out articles, save and read them later Slide 29

Ways to Learn About Candidates and Issues Read your Voter’s Manual Listen to the voter’s manual if your state has it available on CD Talk with family and friends Listen to the radio and T.V. and talk shows Slide 30

Ways to Learn About Candidates and Issues Tell stories and share your voting experiences with others Make a checklist of what is important to you and check if the candidates share your idea Someone who supports you It should be someone you trust Slide 31

Ways to Learn About Candidates and Issues Educates and works with parents, self- advocates and staff Invite someone from the League of Woman Voters Invite an elected officials to speak with your group What are some of the other ways you can learn about the candidates and issues? Slide 32

Role Play: Meeting Candidates - Who would you vote for Role Play: Meeting Candidates - Who would you vote for? - Why did you vote for them? - What would change your mind? Slide 33

How Do You Vote? Slide 34

How Do You Vote? Mail in my ballot With a touch-screen voting machine at a polling place With a paper ballot at a polling place Mail in an absentee ballot Early voting at the polling place What are other ways that people can vote? “I’m talking to you” Slide 35

List types of voting machines Add address for your secretary of state website Add where people can find info about your state voting machines Add picture or video here about your state voting machine. Or a map of which counties use different voting machines. Slide 36

Possible Polling Places library Slide 37

Possible Polling Places House of worship Slide 38

Possible Polling Places Police Department Slide 39

Possible Polling Places school Slide 40

Possible Polling Places House of worship School Library Courthouse City Hall Private home Restaurant Police or fire station Recreational or community center What are other possible polling places? Slide 41

Getting Around Voting Problems Slide 42

How to Get Around Voting Problems Problem: You are in the voting booth and you don’t know what to do. Strategy: Bring support with you, ask a poll worker to help, or ask for an audio tape or something else to make it accessible. Slide 43

How to Get Around Voting Problems Problem: No or limited accessible parking at the polling place Strategy: Ask if other street parking is available. If no other street parking is available then ask the poll worker to come to your car so that you can vote. Slide 44

How to Get Around Voting Problems Problem: Inaccessible route from the parking lot to the polling place door. Strategy: Ask about other ways to get in into the building. Slide 45

How to Get Around Voting Problems Problem: Poll worker can not read your writing. Strategy: Make a mark or bring a signature stamp to the polls when you go to vote You may need to fill out a form that says how you will be signing your ballot Slide 46

How to Get Around Voting Problems Problem: The entrance to the polling is place not accessible or safe for voters who use wheelchairs or walkers. Strategy: Ask about other entrances into the building and call your states Protection and Advocacy organization (P&A) if there is not an accessible entrance. Slide 47

How to Get Around Voting Problems Problem: There is not an accessible voting booth at the poll. Strategy: Tell them how they could support you to be able to vote. HAVA says that every polling place should have an accessible voting booth. Check ahead with your Board of Elections to find out if your polling place has an accessible voting booths. Slide 48

How to Get Around Voting Problems Problem: The way your state votes does not give you privacy Strategy: Ask the poll worker if they could help you to vote Remember: HAVA gives you the right to vote privately Slide 49

How to Get Around Voting Problems Problem: You know you can ask for an absentee ballot before election day, fill it out and send it in but you really don’t want to. Strategy: Remember it is important to show your community that people with disabilities do vote. So work with your community organizations to increase in person voting. Slide 50

How to Get Around Voting Problems Problem: You ask for help to vote and the poll worker says they are too busy. Strategy: Tell the poll worker you will wait for them and move aside for others to go through, but do not move out of their sight, if your comfortable don’t move at all. Slide 51

How to Get Around Voting Problems Problem: The attitude of the poll worker is negative and you feel uncomfortable. Strategy: Do your best to tell them your needs. If that doesn’t help, ask another poll worker to help you or if you have someone with you, ask them to help. Slide 52

How to Get Around Voting Problems Problem: You don’t know how to get support to learn about voting. Strategy: Call your statewide Election Officials, League of Women Voters, P&A, Self- Advocacy Group, and Center for Independent Living, and others. Slide 53

How to Get Around Voting Problems Problem: You know that you will need help at the polling place. Strategy: Ask for poll workers from each party if you are alone. You can ask a family member or friend you trust and respect to keep your vote private. Slide 54

How to Get Around Voting Problems Problem: The poll worker does not understand your speech. Strategy: Use a communication device or you can ask a family member or friend you trust and respect to translate for you. Tell them you are capable of voting and know how to do it and if needed you can tell them it is your right to vote. Slide 55

How to Get Around Voting Problems Problem: Your guardian doesn’t want you to you vote. Strategy: Find out if your guardian has full or limited guardianship. Talk your guardian about why voting is important to you and that you really want to vote. Some advocates do vote against their guardians wishes. You have to decide what is right for you. Don’t give up voting gives you power! Slide 56

How to Get Around Voting Problems Problem: You need alternative format (large print or Braille) Strategy: Call your P&A or talk with your self advocacy group about Help America Vote Act (HAVA) the law that is all about accommodations. Slide 57

How to Get Around Voting Problems Problem: Someone says they will give you a ride to the polling place if you will vote for the person or issue they want. Strategy: Ask someone else to take you, or your political party might have rides if you plan ahead. If this is the only ride you can get. Let them drive you, ask them to wait outside, and vote for the person or issue you want. If they ask you can say yeah I voted. Get home safe with no fuss. Slide 58

How to Get Around Voting Problems Problem: Your support person says they want to go in the voting booth with you but you don’t want them to. Strategy: Say, “I want to try to handle it myself.” Slide 59

How to Get Around Voting Problems Problem: The poll worker asks where your guardian is. Strategy: Tell them you do not need a guardian to vote. Tell them you know about the issues and the candidates and HAVA says I have the right to vote. Slide 60

How to Get Around Voting Problems Problem: The poll worker says you can’t vote. Strategy: Ask the poll worker to explain why you can’t vote. An example might be you moved and forgot to update your voter registration card, your name changes or any other information. Slide 61

How to Get Around Voting Problems Problem: If the poll worker says you still can’t vote after showing you the proof. Strategy: Ask the poll worker for a provisional ballot, and ask the poll worker how the provisional ballot will be counted. Slide 62

Ways to Get Involved & Building a Voting Community Slide 63

Ways to Get Involved in Voting Be a poll worker – Contact your election board and ask to attend a poll worker training. Before the next election learn how to use the voting machines. Educate others about voting: your family, community social clubs like: YW and YMCA, Lions, Kiwanis, and, service agencies, advocacy groups, and your friends. Slide 64

Ways to Get Involved in Voting Work with the candidates on their campaigns and political platforms (stand on issues). Help with a petition pass out registration cards. Be an advocate for others who need help voting or learning how to vote. Slide 65

Ways to Get Involved in Voting Work on proposals to increase accessibility. Attend the primary caucus which means a meeting where a candidate gets support and is given more information on the issues. A candidate who is running for office like when a self advocates run for President or Treasurer. The candidate talks about the issues and how they would solve problems this is their political platform. What are other ways to get involved in the voting process? Slide 66

Building a Voting Community Hold trainings at your election’s office. Invite legislators to do parts of your training. Get involved in a task force on voting. Slide 67

Building a Voting Community Go to community meetings about voting. Send e-mail and paper information to your mailing list to find out who is interested in voting Work with community groups to educate people about voting Slide 68

Training Plan Who are the team members? Who are you going to present to? Where will the training be held? Where will the resources come from to support the training? Who will advertise the training (put up fliers, send mailings, link to websites)? Slide 69

Best Practices For Partnering Slide 70

Best Practices For Partnering “In order to work together to improve the lives of people with disabilities, professional organizations and self- advocacy groups must have relationships that are based on understanding, respect and trust.” Slide 71

Get To Know Each Other What is the name of your group? What is the groups mission and vision? What is the group responsible for? What are some of the other things that the group is involved in? Slide 72

What Are We Doing Now? What Are We Doing Now? What’s Working? What’s Not Working? What Are the Opportunities to Work Together Now? Slide 73 Slide 68

Why Working Together is Important? WORKING WITH P&As: We Speak in one voice We Provide legal back-up We Share Information We Strengthen our work with legislators We Add credibility(value truth, and honor each other) Collaboration (work on voting issues and more) Self advocate read this slide Slide 74

Why Working Together Is Important? WORKING WITH SELF ADVOCATES: We Speak in one voice We can speak up and do things the P&A can’t We share information We Strengthen our work with legislators We Add credibility (value truth, and honor each other) Collaboration (work on voting issues and more) P&A read this slide Slide 75

Best Practices For Partnering Grow Your Relationship Slide 76

Best Practices For Partnering Make a Formal Agreement Slide 77

Best Practices For Partnering Build Your Partnership Over Time Slide 78

Best Practices For Partnering Help Each Other Build Bridges Slide 79

Best Practices For Partnering Don't Give Up Slide 80

Small Group Discussion Instructions Choose a note taker and presenter Choose an activity to partner on Obstacles that would make the partnership hard Solutions How will you support each other in hard times Slide 81

How Do We Feel Now? What is Working Better What’s Still Not Working What Are the New Opportunities Slide 82

Evaluation Slide 83