1. 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

2. 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

3. 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.

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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.

8. 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

9. 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 s to candidates with your concerns
Visit their websites to see their position on important issues

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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!

16. Questions?
Doria Panvini Carrie Hobbs Guiden