Disability Rights Florida Blog

Voting with a Disability

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

As a voter with a disability in Florida, you have the right to fully participate in our democracy. Your voice matters, and there are many resources available to help you exercise your right to vote. Let's explore some key information about voting with disabilities in Florida.

Your Voting Rights

As a person with a disability in Florida, you have the right to:

Vote privately and independently
Use accessible voting equipment at every polling place
Receive assistance from a person of your choice (except your employer or union representative)
Vote-by-mail with an accessible ballot
Have equal access to voter registration and polling places

Remember, only a court can take away your right to vote. No one else - not a guardian, election official, or family member - can legally prevent you from voting.

Voting in Institutions and Facilities

If you live in a nursing home or assisted living facility, you have options for voting:

You can request a vote-by-mail ballot
Your facility can arrange for supervised voting, where election officials bring ballots to the facility
You can still choose to vote at a polling place

The facility must:

Help you register to vote if you want
Help you get and return a mail ballot
Allow you to vote in person if you choose
Not influence your vote or voting choices

Laws that protect those residing in institutions and facilities say that if you live in a nursing home, you keep all your rights as a U.S. citizen. This includes your right to vote. The facility must support your right to vote, not interfere with it.

Resources to Get Help and Stay Informed

If you have any questions or issues with voting due to your disability, contact the Disability Rights Florida Voting Rights Hotline at 877-352-7337.

Stay informed about upcoming elections, candidates, and issues. You can find nonpartisan information from sources like the League of Women Voters or your local elections office.

Your vote is your voice. By exercising your right to vote, you're not just participating in democracy - you're helping to shape a more inclusive future for all Floridians with disabilities.

There are many resources to help you vote:

Accessible Voting Equipment: Every polling place must have at least one accessible voting machine.
Vote-by-Mail: You can request an accessible vote-by-mail ballot to vote from home.
Voting Assistance: You can bring someone to help you vote, or ask for help from poll workers.
Supervised Voting: Available for residents of nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
Voter Education: Disability Rights Florida offers explainer videos about voting rights and processes.
Accessible Voting Videos: Learn how to use accessible voting machines and accessible vote-by-mail ballots on our website.
Access the Vote Florida, REV UP Chapter of Florida: Join this coalition to connect with other Florida voters with disabilities and learn about important issues.
Vote-by-Mail: Request a mail ballot from your county Supervisor of Elections if you prefer to vote from home.

Tips for Voting

Register early: Make sure you're registered to vote well before the election.
Know your options: Decide if you want to vote by mail, early in-person, or on Election Day.
Be prepared: Research candidates and issues before you vote.
Ask for help: If you need assistance, don't hesitate to ask poll workers or call our Voting Rights Hotline at 877-352-7337.

Remember, your vote matters! By participating in elections, you help make sure the voices of people with disabilities are heard. Every vote counts in creating a more inclusive and accessible society for all.

Asking for Assistance at the Polls

Arrive at your polling place during voting hours.
Inform the poll workers that you need assistance to vote due to a disability or inability to read or write.
You can choose anyone to assist you, except your employer, an officer of your union, or an agent of either. Alternatively, you can request assistance from two election officials.
If you didn't indicate on your voter registration application that you might need help at the polls, you'll need to fill out a form affirming your need for assistance. The clerk can help you complete this form if needed.
The person you choose to assist you (if not an election official) will also need to fill out a form stating they will provide help.
Your assistant will take an oath administered by an election official.
Your assistant can then help you read the ballot and mark your choices.
You do not have to reveal the nature or extent of your disability to receive assistance.

Remember, if you prefer, you can use an accessible voting machine that allows you to vote independently. These machines are equipped with features like headphones and keypads for voters with visual disabilities.

If you encounter any issues related to voting accessibility, you can contact the Disability Rights Florida Voting Hotline at 877-352-7337 for assistance.

What do Supervisor of Elections do?

The Supervisor of Elections provides a wide range of services related to elections and voter registration:

Voter Registration: The Supervisor maintains voter registration records, enters new registrations into the statewide system, and updates voter information.
Election Administration: They administer all federal, state, county, municipal, and special district elections in accordance with various laws and acts.
Polling Place Management: The Supervisor secures polling places, ensures they meet ADA requirements, and maintains contracts for these locations.
Election Worker Management: They hire, train, and supervise poll workers and election staff.
Voter Education: The office provides information and statistics on voter registration, voting, and elections.
Absentee and Early Voting: They manage absentee registration, early voting, and absentee voting processes.
Candidate Services: The Supervisor qualifies candidates for county office and receives candidate campaign finance reports.
Equipment Maintenance: They are responsible for maintaining election equipment.
Petition Processing: Supervisors handle the filing of petitions signed by electors.
Financial Disclosure Management: They maintain financial disclosure reports for certain non-office holders serving on various county boards.
Voter Assistance: The office makes proper voter registration procedures available to individuals, groups, centers for independent living, and public libraries in their county.
Address Verification: They maintain a list of residential addresses to verify the legal addresses of voters in their county.

These services are designed to ensure fair and accessible elections, maintain accurate voter records, and provide necessary information to voters and candidates. The Supervisor of Elections plays a crucial role in upholding the integrity of the democratic process at the local level.

Find Your Local Supervisor of Elections

To find your local Supervisor of Elections in Florida, follow these steps:

Visit the Florida Division of Elections Website: Go to the official site where you can locate your Supervisor of Elections.
Select Your County: You can find your county by selecting your city from a dropdown menu. Once you select your city, your county will automatically display.
Contact Information: Once you identify your county, you will find the contact details for your local Supervisor of Elections, including their phone number and office address.
Additional Resources: If you need further assistance, you can also visit the My Florida Elections page for more contact options and information about local election offices.

By following these steps, you will be able to easily locate and contact your local Supervisor of Elections to get information about voting, registration, and other election-related inquiries.

Why Your Vote Matters

Voting is crucial for people with disabilities, both in Florida and across the USA. By voting, you:

Have a say in policies that affect your daily life
Help elect officials who understand disability issues
Contribute to making our society more inclusive
Ensure accessibility in all areas of society

Remember, one in four adults in the U.S. has a disability. That's a lot of people! When we vote together, we can make a big difference.

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