June, 2006
On June 6th, Americans throughout the country will be going to the polls to vote in a primary election. Here in California we are selecting a Democrat to run against "Arnold", candidates for the state assembly and senate, local officials, and approving or disapproving several local issues (like Measure E in Watsonville). As an ex-social studies teacher and inveterate political junkie I urge everyone to get out and vote. Make your voice heard. Get the various levels of government to do what you want them to do. This is especially true for people with disabilities.
Americans in general seem to take elections for granted. If 50% of the voting public votes, we think of it as a success. But when a candidate need only win 51% of the votes, people can win if they only convince 25% of the people to vote for them. Historically, the number of voters has been even lower for people with disabilities.
In the past our voting process has not been the most accessible for a person with a disability. It's kind of hard to vote when you can't get into the building because of stairs, can't read the ballot because of the small print, or wait in line because you can't stand for long periods of time. These and many other reasons have discouraged people with disabilities from voting. But things are improving.
Over the past several years, states and municipalities have been held accountable for making the process more accessible. Polling sites are now surveyed on a regular basis to improve physical accessibility. As a result, accessible parking (even temporary) has increased, thresholds have been modified to allow wheelchairs to roll over them, ramps have been installed to eliminate steps, seating is now provided for those who can't stand for extended periods and all Santa Cruz polling sites have magnifiers available. Additionally, voting jurisdictions across the country are buying new accessible machines that will improve the ability of people with disabilities to vote.
Now it's up to the people, particularly people with disabilities. Get out and vote!!! If you can't get to your local polling site, then use one of the alternatives. I happen to prefer to vote via absentee ballot, so I have made arrangements to vote this way permanently. Additionally, Santa Cruz County has borrowed 12 of the new touch screen machines for use on election day and plans to distribute them throughout the county. If you would like a demonstration, or to learn how to use one, they have one set up at the elections office in the county government building on Ocean Street.
This election, the CCCIL staff will once again be conducting polling site surveys. If you are a person with a disability and you have any problems voting, can't park in the accessible parking place, can't get up a slope, can't cross a threshold, etc., then please give CCCIL a call. You can also give us a call if things have improved for you. In the last 2 years, Santa Cruz County has replaced over 25 inaccessible polling sites and worked to improve the accessibility of many others.
There is still much to do. Remember... Disability is a random event that
can occur in any life, at any moment. Maybe one of these years you might be the
one with a disability that can't access your local polling site to exercise that
most basic of rights - the right to vote.
- Michael Bradshaw, Central Coast Center for Independent Living