Your vote ensures your perspective is considered in the determination of our public officials at the federal, state, and local levels. Individuals with disabilities need to be included in that decision. All Indiana citizens, minus a few considerations, have the right to vote. This involves individuals with disabilities. Better yet, you have the right to access voting by any means needed. So, what are your options?
In-Person Voting
If you are willing and able to show up on November 3, go for it! You can also vote early at the locations, dates, and times determined by your countys election board. The Help America Vote Act of 2002 requires that there be at least one accessible voting machine at each polling location. You are also entitled to assistance either from a friend or relative, or two poll workers (one from each political party). If you bring someone to assist you, make sure they remember to bring their ID too.
Voting by Mail
You may be uncomfortable receiving assistance at the polls or unable to physically make it to your polling location. Thats okay! Individuals with disabilities are eligible for absentee voting by mail. The first step is completing the absentee ballot request form. You can mail that request to your countys election board (a list of locations by county will be attached to the form). The request for an absentee ballot is due by 11:59 pm on October 22.
Once the request is submitted, you will receive your ballot in the mail. It is better to request your ballot as soon as possible, as the mail does take time. Once you receive your ballot, fill it out and mail it back to the election board, or hand deliver it to their office, by noon on November 3. Remember, the ballot must be in their office by this deadline, so please mail it with as early as possible to ensure it makes it there in time. The United States Postal Service suggests two weeks.
Voting by Traveling Board
If you do not wish to mail in your ballot, you are entitled to have a traveling board of a bi-partisan team come to your home with your ballot. With this process, a member from each party is present to ensure everything is processed fairly. You can fill out your traveling board ballot yourself, or with the assistance of a family member, a friend, a caregiver or the traveling board team. Then, you’ll hand the ballot to the team to take with them that day to be counted. If you are unable to sign the ballot yourself, another person present can do this for you. The person signing for you must write their name and address on the ballot as well. If you are able to make a mark, it is recommended to do so.
You can find the form to request a traveling board vote here. It must be submitted to your countys election board by noon on November 2.
Whichever method you choose, get out there and vote! The deadline to register to vote is October 5 and you can do that online.