Brazos Valley Center for Independent Living

Connecting people to the power of independence

Public Input

Rev Up! – Vote

I VOTE EARLY

Send questions to revuptx@gmail.com or visit www.revuptexas.org.

The November 3 election will have a dramatic effect on disability rights and services at the local, state, and national levels for the next decade. 

The DISABILITY VOTE can influence the outcome of this election.  It is in our interest to support candidates – regardless of which party they represent – that support policies and funding that promote our ability to be included in our communities like every other Texan!

The COVID 19 pandemic poses unique challenges to the DISABILITY COMMUNITY.  Do we go to the polls and possibly confront long lines? Or do we use the mail-in ballot process (for the first time for many of us)?  The controversy about mail-in ballots adds another level of confusion.

REV UP Texas’ I VOTE EARLY campaign encourages eligible voters to use the mail-in ballot. But if you want to go to the polls, vote during the EARLY VOTING period. (See In-Person Voting below.)

>>REGISTER TO VOTE

If you have not already registered to vote, you MUST register by October 5 to be able to vote on November 3. Click here to register.

>>VOTING BY MAIL

  • To request a mail-in ballot, click here.
  • To be sure that your mail-in ballot WILL BE COUNTED, you must fill it out and mail it the day you get it – or the next day at the very latest. If you can hand-deliver your ballot, that’s even better. But you MUST deliver it by October 12.

>>IN-PERSON VOTING

Early Voting Dates: October 13 – October 30

General Election: November 3

  • Because of COVID-19, many counties are having a hard time finding poll workers.  This may cause counties to consolidate or eliminate polling locations.
  • If you find long lines when you go to vote in person, there are laws that may allow you to get preference.
  • Contact your county for voting locations. Click here to find contact information for your county election official.

>>LINKS TO FIND MORE INFORMATION

Secretary of State General Information on Disability – Voting  

Disability Rights Texas – Voting

Survey: Do you use a service animal?

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Are you a US resident (Age 18+) who uses a service animal or other animal that assists you with your disability? If not, are you the parent of a child who uses such an animal?

If so, the Southwest ADA Center (www.southwestada.org) would like to learn about your experiences with accessing public places with your animal. We invite you to complete the following anonymous survey at:

http://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/3773597/Assistance-Animal-Survey

The information gathered from the survey will help the Southwest ADA Center

  1. understand what access issues people are having with their animals; and
  2. to develop information, support, and guidance needed for the community to improve access for users of assistance animals.

These findings will also improve the trainings and technical assistance that the Southwest ADA Center can provide to the public on this topic.

 

National Disability Voter Registration Week

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July 11-15, 2016

 

The REV UP Campaign is coordinating a National Disability Voter Registration Week to increase the political power of people with disabilities while also engaging candidates and the media to recognize the disability community.

On May 24th, we held an Organizing & Training Webinar to help prepare for National Disability Voter Registration Week. The purpose of the webinar was to aid organizers across the country to hold their own voter registration events – both physically and online – to increase the number of people with disabilities who are registered to vote and ultimately the number of people with disabilities who cast their ballots on election day this November and in future elections.

View the captioned recording of the webinar here.

 

Ways to Participate in National Disability Voter Registration Week

  • Hold a press event or conference with local partners to announce national and local efforts to get new people with disabilities registered to vote, educated on disability issues, and committed to get out the DISABILITY VOTE. If possible, coordinate multiple sites around your state to host press events at the same time.
  • Organize a rally of voters with disabilities and disability advocates to promote the REV UP message and the power of the DISABILITY VOTE.
  • Write letters to the editor or Op-Eds and engage local radio or TV stations on the growing efforts by the disability community to become an influential voice in electoral politics this November and beyond.
  • Utilize your mail, email, and social media networks to provide information on voter registration and relevant disability issues in your area while also encouraging people to commit to vote on Election Day.
  • Host a workshop or training on state voter registration rules as well as your rights as a person with a disability.
  • Collect Data on voters with disabilities in your area – this will help us build a broader movement to show the power of the disability voting bloc.
  • Include REV UP and voter registration tables at upcoming events (especially any events around the 26th anniversary of the ADA).
  • Connect with other disability rights and voting rights organizations in your area.
  • Make your organization a polling place (Resources: How To Serve As A Polling Site and ADA Polling Place Checklist).
  • Go to your City Council, County Commissioner, State Representative, etc. to get the week of 7/11 – 7/15 declared DISABILITY VOTER REGISTRATION WEEK (a draft Resolution is available here).

 

National Disability Voter Registration Week – Promotional Flyers

 

The REV UP Campaign aims to increase the political power of the disability community while also engaging candidates and the media on disability issues.REV UP stands for Register! Educate! Vote! Use your Power!

 

Thank you for doing your part to make the DISABILITY VOTE count!

Photo of Justin Dart with text: "VOTE as if your life depends on it - Because it DOES!VOTE as if your life depends on it—Because it DOES!