AAPD’s REV UP Get Out the Vote Campaign
For Immediate Release: October 7, 2020
Contact: Keri Gray, kgray@aapd.com
WASHINGTON, DC – The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy. At this moment of social, political, and economic conflict, it is critical that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to exercise this right, including people with disabilities. The power of the disability vote allows us to choose our President, Mayors, District Attorneys, School Board Officials, and many other elected leaders. Voting also allows us to have a say on the policy and funding priorities of our communities through ballot initiatives. Voting is also one of the ways we can address disability, racial, social, and economic disparities.
This year, 38.3 million people with disabilities are eligible to vote[1]. Unfortunately, due to a long history of voting inaccessibility, voter suppression, and the frequently changing and varied election rules on top of all of the barriers to voting created by COVID, all of these 38.3 million eligible voters may not have an equal chance to cast their ballot. To support voters with disabilities and ensure organizations engaged in voter registration efforts understand various policies affecting voters with disabilities, the American Association of People with Disabilities’ (AAPD’s) REV UP network has created a number of new resources as a part of our 2020 Get out the Disability Vote (GOTV) Campaign.
The REV UP network is composed of state and national coalitions that work to advance the Disability Vote. We have researched and brought together information on voter registration, ID requirements, absentee and mail-in voting, early voting, curbside voting, electronic ballot delivery, and more. This information is assembled in an excel spreadsheet for organizers, a FAQ document focused on voting by mail, and voting guides for each state, to ensure that voters with disabilities are ready to vote.
- Frequently Asked Questions on voting in the general elections.
- 2020 Election Voting Options and Deadlines – This excel document provides national and state organizations with information on safe and accessible voting options, particularly for voters with disabilities.
- State Voting Guides – These documents are guides, specific to your state, to help you be prepared to vote in the general elections.
This year, elected officials across state and federal ballots are asking for your vote. It is critical that you voice the needs for your community and our country to enact the change you wish to see! Our nonpartisan 2020 GOTV Campaign will help you successfully cast your ballot for the 2020 General Elections.
Any questions regarding the REV UP GOTV Campaign can be directed to AAPD’s Senior Director, Keri Gray, at kgray@aapd.com.
[1] https://smlr.rutgers.edu/news/disability-vote-grows-to-38-million-19-percent-jump-since-2008
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AAPD is a convener, connecter, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities. As one of the leading national cross-disability civil rights organizations, AAPD advocates for the full recognition of rights for the over 60 million Americans with disabilities. AAPD’s programs and initiatives have been effective in mobilizing the disability community through communications advocacy; cultivating and training new and emerging leaders with disabilities through leadership development programs; increasing the political participation of Americans with disabilities and elevating the power of the disability vote through the REV UP (Register! Educate! Vote! Use your Power!) Campaign; and advancing disability inclusion in the workplace through the Disability Equality Index (DEI) — the nation’s leading corporate benchmarking tool for disability equality and inclusion. To learn more about AAPD, visit www.aapd.com.
AAPD’s REV UP Campaign aims to foster civic engagement and protect the voting rights of Americans with disabilities. AAPD works with state and national coalitions on effective, non-partisan campaigns to address the concerns of people with disabilities, eliminate barriers to voting, promote accessibility of voting; educate communities about issues and candidates; promote turnout of voters with disabilities across the country; and engage candidates and the media on disability issues. Learn more about REV UP at www.aapd.com/revup.