(Today’s actions from Americans of Conscience, quote from – Lisa Schur, Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations.)
See Part 1 here.
Although 25% of the U.S. population is disabled in some way, voter turnout in the disability community lags nearly 6 percentage points behind that of nondisabled people. Challenges include voter ID laws; inaccessible polling places; finding accessible election materials; and properly trained poll workers.
Action #1 – H.R.1/S.949 – “For the People” Act includes disability access improvements.
ANOTHER reason why HR.1 and the senatorial version S.949 are so important… These bills increase voting access for those with disabilities by increasing accessibility requirements at polling places, and giving out grants to help pay for necessary alterations. These bills also make registration materials and notices regarding voter roll purges more accessible and expand access to early voting and same-day voter registration. Extending hours helps not only those with schedules dependant on personal care attendants, but also parents of young children, and those with jobs that conflict with normal polling hours. Combo-scripts and contact info. below
Action #2 – H.R.865/S266 – the Rebuild America’s Schools Act will make many polling places more accessible.
Anyone who has ever worked as a poll volunteer knows that one of their first tasks before the polling place opens is to install signage, movable ramps, door handle extenders and other parts from a county-supplied kit of equipment in an attempt to make their facility, often an older elementary school, more accessible to those with disabilities. H.R.865/ S.266 include provisions to improve accessibility at schools, which serves as a win/win for disabled kids AND voters! (…and for poll workers too.)
Combo-scripts!
Minimal script for representatives: I’m calling from [zip code] and I want to thank Rep. [___] for [his/her] vote on H.R.1– the “For the People Act” and [his/her] cosponsorship of H.R.865 – “Rebuild America’s Schools” acts. Both these acts help make voting more easier for our disabled community, including improving accessibility for school buildings that often serve a community polling places.
- Rep-check HR 1/ HR 865. (Rep. Brownley and Carbajal voted “YES” on H.R.1. Both are cosponsors of H.R.865.)
Minimal script for senators: I’m calling from [zip code] and I want to thank Sen. [___] for [his/her] cosponsorship of S.949 – “For the People” Act” for making elections more accessible and for S.266 – “Rebuild America’s Schools” Act. Both acts help make voting more easier for our disabled community, including improving accessibility for school buildings that often serve a community polling places.
Contacts
Rep. Julia Brownley: email, (CA-26): DC (202) 225-5811, Oxnard (805) 379-1779, T.O. (805) 379-1779
or Rep. Salud Carbajal: email. (CA-24): DC (202) 225-3601, SB (805) 730-1710 SLO (805) 546-8348
Senator Feinstein: email, DC (202) 224-3841, LA (310) 914-7300, SF (415) 393-0707, SD (619) 231-9712, Fresno (559) 485-7430
and Senator Harris: email, DC (202) 224-3553, LA (213) 894-5000, SAC (916) 448-2787, Fresno (559) 497-5109, SF (415) 355-9041, SD (619) 239-3884
Who is my representative/senator?: hq-salsa.wiredforchange.com
INDIVISIBLE VENTURA 