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Dear Reader,
This special-edition insert is devoted to the November election and the importance of active political involvement by people with disabilities.
Your participation is crucial and speaks volumes about the power people with
disabilities have to help determine the future of Indiana and the nation. The outcome of this election could hinge on your ballot.
Think back to previous civil rights legislation for the disability community. Can you
imagine the outcome of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Education for all Individual with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, or the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act if people with disabilities had refused to get involved at the grassroots level in the passage of these sweeping pieces of legislation?
This fall, you have an opportunity to make a powerful difference. You can work at the polls, conduct accessibility surveys, organize and/or attend a candidate forum, work for
a candidate and much more. The decision is yours.
Sincerely,
Suellen Jackson-Boner
Executive Director
Election 2004: Stakes are high for disability community
High voter turnout among people with disabilities is essential
As America prepares for the presidential election, disability advocates across the nation are getting involved in the political process, carefully monitoring candidates' disability-related platforms and making their voices heard. In this election, the stakes are high for the disability community.
Our next president will help guide law and public policy related to transportation, health care, home and community-based care, special education, affordable and accessible housing, and much more.
In addition, the winner likely will have the opportunity to nominate one or more Supreme Court justices. Because these judges are appointed to life terms, our next president's choices could affect Supreme Court rulings for decades to come. Recent Supreme Court rulings have made disability advocates keenly aware of the importance of ensuring that new justices support the disability community.
At the state level, Indiana's budget crisis is a major area of concern for disability advocates.
"For me, the high stakes issue is what's going to happen with human services. The fiscal situation in the state is still not the best, and the tendency is always to cut programs that serve … people with disabilities," said Melissa Durr, executive director of the Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging. "I'm concerned that in the effort to save money, these people will be overlooked."
If people with disabilities have a high voter turnout on Election Day, however, they can show political candidates the strength of the disability community, increase their political influence and initiate positive changes for people with disabilities.
Council resources
For information on organizing a candidate forum, conducting a voter registration drive and raising community awareness about disability issues, request a free copy of the Council's "Voter Participation Guide." Download a copy at www.in.gov/gpcpd/publications or contact the Council at (317) 232-7770 (voice),
(317) 232-7771 (TT) or gpcpd@gpcpd.org (e-mail).
You may also request a free copy of the Council's "Voting in Indiana" booklet, which explains the rights of voters with disabilities and includes a guide for poll workers and election officials.
Evaluating candidates on disability issues
Sometimes it's hard to know where a candidate stands on disability issues. Consider these suggestions from United Cerebral Palsy Association (UCP) and other advocacy groups.
Check to see if candidates:
- Schedule events at accessible locations.
- Hire sign language interpreters at campaign events.
- Air television advertisements that are open or closed captioned, or video described.
- Make campaign literature available in alternative formats, including large print, Braille, audio tape or computer disk.
- Invite leaders in the disability community to strategy sessions, public forums and town meetings.
- Are familiar with disability issues and support the ADA in speeches and legislation.
- Have a voting record of supporting the disability community on issues such as special education, health care, Medicare and Medicaid, long-term care, job training and employment, housing, transportation, taxation, technology development, telecommunications access, and supplemental security income (SSI/SSDI).
Selecting candidates to support requires research
Elections are often confusing, with candidates firing accusations back and forth.
To get a clear understanding of the candidates' views, the League of Women Voters recommends this step-by-step process.
- Decide what you are looking for in a candidate. List the issues you care about and the qualities you want your leaders to have. This will serve as a guide for evaluating the candidates once you know more about them.
- Gather information about the candidates. Good sources are news media coverage and the candidates' campaign materials.
- Evaluate each candidate's stance on important issues. What impressions do you have as you review your information? What conclusions do you draw about the candidates?
- Learn about the candidates' leadership abilities by looking at the candidates' backgrounds and experience, observing the candidates' campaigns, and reviewing campaign materials.
- Learn how other people view the candidates. Other opinions can help you clarify your views. You could interview other well-informed voters, examine campaign contributions and monitor public opinion polls.
- Sort it all out. Ask yourself which candidate you agree with on most issues. Voting is a right, but it comes with a responsibility to be informed about candidates and issues. By following these steps, you can feel confident that you are casting a vote for the right person - the candidate with whom you agree on most issues and who has the leadership qualities you value.
Upcoming candidate forums
Howard County Candidate Forum
7-9 p.m., Oct. 20
Indiana University-Kokomo, Kelley Student Center, Room 130
Contact: (765) 455-9538 (voice)
State and National Candidate Forum
7-9 p.m., Oct. 27
Indiana University-Kokomo, Kelley Student Center, Room 130
Contact: (765) 455-9538 (voice)
"Conversation on Disability Issues"
On Aug. 18, The Arc of Indiana, INARF, and the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community hosted a "Conversation on Disability Issues" with gubernatorial candidates Mitch Daniels and Gov. Joe Kernan. Jim Shella, of WISH-TV in Indianapolis and host of WFYI's "Indiana Week in Review," moderated the event. This first-of-its-kind event was telecast to six sites around the state. Visit www.arcind.org to listen to the archived telecast.
Indiana, national offices up for election
On Election Day, Hoosiers will choose candidates to fill a variety of national, state and local positions. Following is a list of candidates, in alphabetical order, who will appear on ballots statewide. Use the contact information to research candidates' views on important issues or set up a candidate forum in your community.
Governor/Lieutenant Governor
Mitch Daniels/Becky Skillman (Republican)
www.mymanmitch.com
(877) 648-2448 (voice)
info@mymanmitch.com (e-mail)
Kenn Gividen/Elaine Badnarik (Libertarian)
www.kenngividen.com
Joe Kernan/Kathy Davis (Democrat)
www.kernandavis.com
(317) 231-7107 (voice)
comments@kernandavis.com (e-mail)
President/Vice President
Michael Badnarik/Richard V. Campagna (Libertarian)
www.badnarik.org
(800) 807-7552 (voice)
CampaignManager@badnarik.org (e-mail)
George W. Bush/Dick Cheney (Republican)
www.georgewbush.com
(703) 647-2700 (voice)
BushCheney04@GeorgeWBush.com (e-mail)
John F. Kerry/John Edwards (Democrat)
www.johnkerry.com
(202) 712-3000 (voice)
(202) 336-6950 (TT)
U.S. Senator
Albert Barger (Libertarian)
www.morethings.com/senate
barger4senate@gmail.com (e-mail)
Evan Bayh (Democrat)
www.evanbayh.com
(317) 231-7147 (voice)
amy@evanbayh.com (e-mail)
Marvin Scott (Republican)
www.marvinscott.org
(317) 634-2651 (voice)
marvin@marvinscott.org (e-mail)
State Attorney General
Steve Carter (Republican)
www.in.gov/attorneygeneral
(317) 232-6201 (voice)
Joseph H. Hogsett (Democrat)
(317) 231-7110 (voice)
jhogsett@indems.org (e-mail)
Aaron T. Milewski (Libertarian)
No information available.
State Superintendent of Public Instruction
Joe Hauptmann (Libertarian)
JoeH46250@yahoo.com (e-mail)
Suellen Reed (Republican)
www.doe.state.in.us
(317) 232-6610 (voice)
sreed@doe.state.in.us (e-mail)
Susan Williams (Democrat)
(317) 231-7100 (voice)
chorwitz@indems.org (e-mail)
Candidates' names were taken from the 2004 General Election Candidate List from the Indiana Election Division. The full list is available at www.in.gov/sos/elections/candidates04/gen_candidatelist.pdf or by calling (317) 232-3939 (voice). Write-in
candidates have been omitted here.
Voter eligibility
You have the right to vote in the 2004 general election if you:
- Are a citizen of the United States.
- Are at least 18 years old on or before Nov. 2.
- Reside in your precinct at least 29 days before the election.
- Are not currently in prison after being convicted of a crime.
- Apply to register to vote by Oct. 4.
Absentee ballots provide a voting option
Every American citizen has the right to cast a ballot at his or her polling place. However, if you prefer, you may choose to vote by absentee ballot if you are:
- Outside the county on Election Day.
- Working in another polling place on Election Day.
- Unable to visit the polling place because of illness, injury or disability.
- The caretaker of a person who cannot visit the polling place because of an illness, injury or disability.
- At least 65 years old.
- Scheduled to work during the 12 hours the polls are open.
You must request an absentee ballot from your county circuit court clerk's office before the election. The application deadline for absentee ballots is noon on Nov. 1; ballots must be at the election office by Nov. 1 to be counted. Absentee voting in the clerk's office begins 29 days before the election and must be available at least two Saturdays before Election Day.
Count Us IN seeks volunteers
The Council's Count Us IN project is leading the charge for full polling place accessibility, as mandated by the Help America Vote Act of 2002. In a massive undertaking, Count Us IN volunteers will survey every polling place in the state - 4,026 polling places - on or before Election Day.
This is the first project of its kind in Indiana and is establishing a model for other states. Count Us IN has forged a partnership with the Indiana secretary of state, Protection and Advocacy Services, county clerks, ADA Indiana, election officials, and volunteers with and without disabilities.
During the past several months, Count Us IN has been hard at work compiling and analyzing accessibility surveys conducted during the November 2003 and May 2004 elections. With 49 counties surveyed, Count Us IN is developing a good understanding of polling place accessibility statewide. This information will be used to provide solutions to help the state reach full polling place accessibility by January 2006. Surveys gathered on Election Day will help Count Us IN complete those recommendations.
As a voter with a disability, you hold the key. Count Us IN needs you to be an active participant in the process. To volunteer, please contact the Council at (317) 234-2226 (voice) or CountUsIN@gpcpd.org (e-mail).
Politically speaking
There are only two months to go before Election Day, but it's not too late to get out the disability vote with a few of these activity suggestions from United Cerebral Palsy:
- Recruit teams to provide transportation and voting assistance to voters with disabilities.
- Write letters to the editor about the difficulties people with disabilities face when voting.
- Remind the media and candidates about the number of voters with disabilities.
- Recruit volunteer caregivers so parents of children with disabilities, or parents with disabilities, have time to vote.
- Educate candidates about the correct language to use regarding people with disabilities.
Poll workers needed
Election officials are reporting a significant shortage of poll workers for the November general election. People with disabilities, many of whom are unemployed, can fill this important need while earning money and increasing disability awareness.
Who is eligible?
In most counties, you must be at least 18 and a registered voter. But Marion County and some other counties allow workers as young as 16, provided they meet certain requirements.
What are the jobs?
Each precinct should have an inspector, two judges (one from each major political party) and two clerks. The inspector acts as the manager and picks up election supplies, including ballots. Judges answer voter questions. Clerks assist voters in signing the poll list and initial each ballot.
How much does it pay?
In Marion County, the day's pay starts at $70 for a clerk and judge and goes up to $110 for an inspector.
How do I sign up?
Contact the local political party headquarters of your choice or the county clerk's office.
Helpful Web sites
As more and more Americans turn to the Internet as their first source of information, many organizations now offer election-related information online. The following Web sites provide information for voters:
American Association of People with Disabilities
www.aapd.com/campaign04/indexcampaign.html - Offers presidential candidates' positions on disability-related issues.
Project Vote Smart
www.vote-smart.org - Nonpartisan site contains candidates' platforms and
voting records.
Public Agenda
www.publicagenda.org - Offers election guides and links to information about disability-related issues.
National Organization on Disability
www.nod.org - Includes links to presidential candidates' disability platforms, as well as information about accessibility, voter registration and other issues.
Indiana Election Division
www.in.gov/sos/elections - Features ballot information, a list of Indiana candidates, voter registration information and details about the Help America Vote Act of 2002.
Rock the Vote
www.rockthevote.com - Offers information on voter registration, key election issues and more.
CNN
www.cnn.com/ELECTION/2004 - Provides recent poll results, campaign information and coverage of election issues.
United Cerebral Palsy
dontblockmyvote.org - Includes news and advocacy tools related to polling place and voting machine accessibility.
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