Resources for Voters with Disabilities

We always hear that “every vote counts” so it is important that everyone gets out to vote. Don’t let having a disability keep you away from your polling place! Great work has been done over the years to help make polling places accessible for all of us.

The City Commissioners have a special page with information for voters with disabilities.

If you aren’t sure where your polling place is located, here’s another helpful link.

Also, many local committee people, elected officials, and candidates are often available to help with getting to the polls. Make some calls, ask around, post on Facebook. I am sure you can find someone to help you get to your polling place.

It’s too late this cycle to vote by absentee ballot, but if you need to learn about that in the future, here’s the info.

I used to vote by absentee ballot because I thought it was easier. Well, I guess it was easier, but I really prefer to cross the street and vote on the actual machine. The workers there are able to easily lower the machine so I can reach it, and it’s a quick and easy process. I also like to get my sticker to let others know that I voted.

From a very personal standpoint, I can assure you that every vote really is important. Before I started working at Magee, I was a candidate for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 172nd District in Northeast Philadelphia. I worked hard for 18 months on the campaign trail, from my wheelchair, meeting voters and telling my story. When the polls closed I was about 50 votes behind my opponent. After a few weeks and a full recount I lost that election by just 92 votes out of over 25,500 that had been cast. Losing didn’t feel good, and the only thing that made it worse was when I bumped into people on the streets who told me they were sorry that they didn’t make it to vote for me like they had planned.

Election Day is an important day, and I hope you will find a way to cast your vote!

Editor’s Note: This blog was originally published in 2016 and was updated for 2018.

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