Don’t Complain if You Don’t
Vote
November 7th
by Mai Thor
Election Day is coming fast!
Statistics tell us that 21% of Americans with disabilities do not
vote—that’s about
8 million potential voters. “Why should they vote,” you ask? Perhaps
these statistics about people with disabilities will answer that question:
• 35% are employed,
compared to the national average of 78%
• 26% live in poverty (making below $15,000 a year), compared
to 9% for the non-disabled
• 14% of total Medicaid recipients in Minnesota are disabled
• 13% of total Medicare recipients in Minnesota are disabled
When people with disabilities
do not vote, it is very likely that the services they are receiving
are being decided without their input. It’s one thing to complain about your health care after you’ve
voted for who you wanted in office; however, complaining doesn’t
seem appropriate when you haven’t voted at all.
Undoubtedly, people
with disabilities still face barriers when it comes to voting.
29% of those who don’t vote do not have accessible
transportation to the polls. And 21% have inaccessible polling places.
These barriers, however, should not prevent the practice of a fundamental
right. The creation and implementation of the Americans with Disabilities
Act is proof that people with disabilities can be a voice to be reckoned
with and have great influence over elected officials. I hope the
numbers above help you realize that as a person with a disability,
it is paramount that you vote. And if those numbers don’t add
up to you, then maybe this math will:
Voting = Elected Officials
= Policies That Directly Impact You = How Your Everyday Life Is Affected. ![]()
FFI: Mai Thor, Minnesota Disability
Law Center, 612-746-3799, mthor@midmnlegal.org
