Voter Registration: How to Register Voters with Disabilities

Roughly half of all people with disabilities are not registered to vote. Mail your unregistered consumers a voter registration kit. The kit should include, on organization letterhead, a short letter/flyer talking about your advocacy/policy agenda and voting. The shorter, the better. Use graphics.

Include at least one voter registration form and an application for an absentee ballot. Also include a self addressed, stamped envelope to be returned to your organization.

The receipt of the mailing should be preceded by a short telephone call that says: “This is (name) from (your organization). We are urging all people with disabilities to register and vote. In order to achieve independence, improve funding for our programs, and a strong ADA enforcement, we all need to vote. Fill it out and mail it back to us.”

Second call asks “Have you received the mailing? Will you fill it out right now while I’m on the phone and send it back?”

Perfect timing would be first phone call on a Monday, mail received on a Tuesday, second call Tuesday night or Wednesday.

The above should result in registering at least 20% of your unregistered constituents. The final step is another phone call to schedule appointments. Use a specific time for people to come to the office and register. If they are unable to come to the office, make an appointment for a volunteer to go to their home and assist in filling out the form and pick it up.

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