ADVOCACY | EDUCATION | EMPLOYMENT
ABOUT US
The Vote! Project believes that more people with developmental disabilities would vote if they had help. The Vote! Project teaches the importance of voting and ways to make it easier.
Most people with developmental disabilities do not vote, even though voting can make an impact on the services and supports we receive through a regional center. This is usually because of reasons that are misguided or even wrong. The Vote! Project gives us important information about voting that is correct and easy to understand.
THE TEAM
The Vote! Project uses peer-to-peer training in our presentations. Presenters are knowledgeable about voting and are able to present their information in a fun and exciting way.
THE VOTE! PRESENTATION
The Vote! Project can present their free 30-minute presentation to any agency that serves people with disabilities. Audience members are offered the chance to register to vote at the end of each presentation. Our presentation shows the importance voting should have to people with disabilities through a series of True/False questions, a fun role-play and game. The audience will learn things like how voting can affect people with disabilities, where to go for help, and how to make voting easier overall.
VOTER INFORMATION MEETINGS
Voter Information Meetings will be offered before major elections to help people understand the candidates and issues on the ballot. This is an excellent way to learn about who is running for office and the different measures or propositions that will be on the upcoming ballot. The Team will show you HOW to vote, without telling you who or what to vote for, which allows each person to make their own educated decisions.
THE FACTS
Voting is an important way for American citizens to help shape the world they live in. For people with disabilities and their circle of support, voting can be one way to keep our services in place.
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American citizens that are over 18 and not in prison
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California assumes you are capable of voting, disabled or not
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In California only a judge has the right to say you can’t vote, even if you are conserved
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Staff and family can help you make decisions about voting, but they can NOT vote FOR you
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Out of 595 adults with developmental disabilities surveyed by Far Northern Regional Center, only 105 were registered to vote
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When the Watch Out! Newsletter conducted a similar survey, most people said they would vote if they had help. The Vote! Project offers that help.
2022 ELECTION DAY INFORMATION
Primary Election Day, Tuesday June 7, 2022
General Election Day is Tuesday, November 8, 2022
California is a permanent vote-by-mail state. That means they will automatically send you a ballot in the mail. These ballots will go out around May 10, 2022 and October 10, 2022. You can still take your ballot to a polling site to vote it you choose to.
Remember to sign your ballot envelope BEFORE returning it! Your vote will NOT be counted if it is NOT signed!
HELPFUL LINKS FOR VOTING
The Easy Voter Guide is made for every major election. It is written in plain language and is very easy to understand.
Easy Voter Guide: COMING SOON
To register to vote or re-register to vote in the state of California
Follow this link to track your ballot
Smart Voter: Help with Candidates
Find your ballot drop off location with this link
REGISTERING TO VOTE
The deadline to register to vote in California is May 23, 2022 for the primary election and October 24, 2022 for the general election. You can register to vote online at this link:
https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voter-registration/
SAME DAY REGISTRATION
Missed the voting registration deadline? In California, you can register to vote on election day.
At a polling site on election day, you can fill out a voter registration card and a conditional ballot. A conditional ballot is one that is temporary- once your voter registration has been verified, then your ballot will be counted.
You can watch this short video to learn more about Same Day Registration.
VOTER INFORMATION GUIDE
COMING SOON
VOTING WITH ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY
There is a program called Remote Accessible Vote-By-Mail serving the Far Northern Regional Center area. See more information from Disability Right’s California here.