Making a Difference in the November Election

There are more than 35 million voting-age persons with a disability living in America. In the last mid-term election, 1998, only 1/3 of these individuals voted. Elected officials from State Capitols to Congress and to the White House have the ability to affect our lives in dramatic ways for better or for worse. We must remember that those officials are elected one vote at a time. And we must exercise our power both as individuals and as a group by voting to help ensure that the people who are elected support our cause.

If the majority of voting-age people with disabilities registered and voted, we could play a major role in steering the course for health care reform, education, housing, community living, employment, etc. We cannot expect elected officials to rally for our needs if we do not care enough to go to the polls and vote. Money influences elections. But it is the votes that count.

For the past several elections we have seen candidates campaigning hard for the Latino vote, the women’s vote, the elderly, and African Americans. It is not simply because these groups are supporting politicians financially (though that makes a difference). It is because they have proven themselves as a voting bloc that can make a difference on election day. Remember the Soccer Moms? They became an issue in the election because politicians of both parties wanted to win their votes, not because they were giving money to one party or the other. We need to get to the point where politicians view the disability community as equally important to other voting blocs. Most Governors and State Legislatures will be elected this fall as well as the entire House and 1/3 of the Senate.

In Missouri, people with disabilities make up twenty percent of the population. Just imagine what power we would have in the upcoming election if everyone with a disability, family members, and those in the community who advocate and just in general, care about what goes on in their community, decided to vote. We would be just as politically powerful as the labor unions and elderly communities are to the candidates and representatives of our state. We can influence their decisions; show them that what we have to say is important. But you have to vote. Studies show that the number one reason people with disabilities do not vote is because they have not been asked. We are asking that you exercise your right to vote. In addition, if you are a person with a vision or mobility impairment we will give you a free ride to the polls in our lift equipped van in Daviess county if you need it. Contact Access II at 1-888-663-2423.