[Kitty]

**This is not a political thread so please don't turn it into one.....k?**

People With Disabilities & Voting

We've had advance voting here in GA for the past couple of weeks and a record number of voters have taken advantage of it. Lines were long and the wait was upwards of 7 hours.

I did not get my absentee ballot registration in on time so I wasn't able to vote that way this year. I also could not stand in line for that long, either.

I found this information on the local Georgia voters website and don't know if it pertains to all states but it's worth knowing and checking out for your particular state if you have not voted yet:

A voter may receive assistance at the polls if they are unable to read the English language or if he or she has a physical disability that renders them unable to see or mark the ballot, operate the voting equipment, or enter the voting booth. In order to do so, everyone, except those that are blind, must take an oath showing the reason they need assistance. The person providing the assistance to the voter must sign on the oath. When there is a federal candidate on the ballot, the voter can select anyone they want to assist them in voting, except for the voter's employer, an agent of that employer, or an officer or agent of the voter's union. When there is no federal candidate on the ballot, the voter can select any other resident of the precinct or a parent, sibling, spouse or child (provided they are not a candidate on the ballot or a relative of a candidate on the ballot) to assist them inside the voting booth. No person may assist more than ten voters in a primary, election, or runoff. Note: Between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on the day of an election, voters who are 75 years of age or older or who are physically disabled may, upon request to a poll officer, vote immediately without waiting in line.


I'm glad I found this information....I wasn't aware of it and wondered how on earth I'd be able to stand in line for so long.

[Jodylee]

Hi Kelly . I would print up a copy of that info and take it to the polls. Not all of the people working at the polls know the rules. That way you're 'armed' . Don't forget your cane! You need to get yourself a rollator with a seat. It has made my life so much easier. When I'm not sitting on it, it's a great place to wrap my purse strap around so I don't have to carry it. Good luck, sweetie and thanks for the info.

[Kitty]

LOL, I've printed it out, got a copy of my SSDI award letter and my doctor's records if need be!! I'm armed!!

[Jodylee]

I shoulda known, LOL!

[Riverwild]

Good info!

Thanks for posting it, Kell!

[tovaxin_lab_rat]

Here's some information that goes even further!

http://www.ada.gov/votingck.htm

[SandyC]

Thanks for posting this Kitty. We already voted to avoid the rush.

[SallyC]

Good info, Kell...I absentee voted...for Obama..

[Erin524]

Originally Posted by SallyC

Good info, Kell...I absentee voted...for Obama..

I early voted at our election commission offices...and my vote cancels yours out! (not getting political, just teasing!)

I'd taken my mom to early vote, so we didnt have to stand in a looooooong line on election day. (in 2004, we waited about 4 or 5 hours to vote) When we early voted, it only took about 45 minutes. About a half hour in line, and another 15 minutes to fill out the ballot.

Next election, I'm going to send off for absentee ballots and vote at home and snail mail them in.

[Natalie8]

Thanks for this info!!

I just heard an interview 10 mins. ago with a woman representing "Election Protection," a non-partisan group you can call for help if necessary. 1-800-OUR-VOTE. She said some disabled folks were having issues such as being told someone had to wait in line for them while they sat in the car. After waiting in line (for several hours) the stand in person gets to the front of the line, is given the ballot, and can then bring the ballot to the disabled person waiting hours in their car!! Ridiculous!!! She also told stories of disabled home-bound people requesting absentee ballots 6-8 weeks ago and never receiving them! Ergh.