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Independent Living News & Policy from the National Council on Independent Living

It’s Election Day. Go Vote!

We have compiled some information and resources to help you get #VoteReady.

Same-Day Voter Registration 

Although voter registration deadlines in many states have now passed, 22 states and Washington, DC offer same-day voter registration. Find out if your state has same-day voter registration

Vote Planning and Know Your Rights Resources

1. NCIL Plan Your Vote 2020 

2. Brink Election Guide is a free app that helps you find out where to vote, who and what you’re voting for, and everything you need to make Election Day a breeze.

3. ACLU Know Your Rights 

4. ASAN Easy Read Toolkit: “Your Vote Counts: A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Voting in the U.S.” 

5. “Vote: It’s Your Right: A Guide to the Voting Rights of People with Mental Disabilities” 

Election Protection and Protection and Advocacy Hotlines 

If you have questions about voting, or experience any issues while voting, there are several hotlines available to help answer all of our questions.

1. Election Protection Hotline: 866-OUR-VOTE (866-86708683) 

  • Spanish: 1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (1-888-839-8682)
  • Arabic: 1-844-YALLA-US (1-844-925-5287)
  • Bengali, Cantonese, Hindi, Urdu, Korean, Mandarin, Tagalog, or Vietnamese: 1-888-274-8683

2. ASL Hotline (National Association of the Deaf): 301-818-VOTE (301-818-8683) 

3. Each state Protection and Advocacy agency runs a voting hotline to specifically address the questions and barriers that people with disabilities face while voting. Protection and Advocacy voting hotlines by state

Staying in Line When the Polls Close 

If you are in line to vote when your polling place closes, you can still vote. If anyone tries to stop you from voting after you have already been in line, be sure to call the Election Protection Hotline listed above.

Managing Expectations on Election Night 

This year, it is especially important to manage our expectations about the election. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, millions of Americans voted by absentee or mail-in ballots, which may not be counted on Election Night. How and when mail-in, absentee, and overseas and military ballots are counted varies by state. Because of this, it may not be possible to declare winners for various races on Election Night. Every voter deserves to have their voice heard, and so it is vital that election officials count every vote.

SABE GoVoter Experience Survey 

Self Advocates Becoming Empowered is collecting the personal experiences of voters with disabilities for the 2020 Election in the 2020 GoVoter Experience Survey. Learning about these experiences helps election officials and others improve their voting services and helps disability organizations know where to focus their voter education. The survey is available in English and Spanish in an easy to follow format. It is also available in hardcopy for voters who do not have access to a computer. Please contact Juliana Huereña ([email protected]) or Essie Pederson ([email protected]) with any questions.