Voting News from the Disability Vote Coalition
The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition is a non-partisan effort to help ensure full participation in the electoral process of voters with disabilities.
Check out our resources at disabilityvote.org and follow us on Facebook
LUNCH & LEARN VOTER EDUCATION SERIES
he November election is just around the corner, and new information is available every day. Join the Disability Vote Coalition for weekly updates on what’s happening and get tips on voting safely. Get the latest and greatest on voting!
Join us on Thursdays in October for a short Zoom Lunch and Learn, kicking off this Thursday October 8th at noon. Register today at https://disabilityvote.org/lunch-learn
MYVOTE WISCONSIN UPDATES
The MyVoteWisconsin website has some new information to help voters. MyVote now shows the voter their In-person Absentee Options (also called Early Voting) and Absentee Ballot Drop Box Options. Here’s how to view this helpful information:
- Go to https://myvote.wi.gov/en-us/VoteAbsentee
- Enter the Voter’s first name, last name and date of birth, and search.
- Select “Find My Local Absentee Options”
- The options for In Person Absentee Voting and Drop box Options will display.
Note: if these do not display for a voter, they should check with their municipal clerk to request this information.
The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition is a project of Disability Rights Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities.
TAKE THE VOTER EXPERIENCE SURVEY
Help us learn more about the voting experience of Wisconsinites with disabilities. The SABE GoVoter survey is conducted nationally to learn more about what is working well for voters with disabilities and what are the challenges. The Disability Vote Coalition will use the survey results to advocate with elected officials to make improvements to our voting system.
- If you are a voter with a disability, we want to hear about your voting experience. Please complete the survey. You can complete it online, or contact the DRW Voter Hotline (844-DIS-VOTE) and we will schedule a time to complete the survey with you.
- If you are a service provider or family member, we need your help! Please share the survey with voters with disabilities and invite them to share their voting experience. We can also mail you paper copies of the survey.
- Link to the SABE Go Voter 2020 survey (English)
- Link to Spanish (Español) survey
- To request a paper survey, or schedule time for someone to assist you to complete the survey, contact the DRW Voter Hotline at 844-DIS-VOTE or email info@disabilitvote.org.
PHOTO ID AND UPDATES ON DMV LOCATIONS
Wisconsin requires a Photo ID to vote. If you don’t have a driver’s license or other valid Photo ID, you can get a Wisconsin State ID card for free, at a Wisconsin DMV location. Call the DMV voter ID hotline for assistance: (844) 588-1069. Some DMV locations have been closed during the pandemic so be sure to call first
- If you live in Madison, a new DMV location is open: Madison South DMV at 1810 South Park Street, Suite 205. This new, temporary location will operate on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. through the end of the year.
- The Milwaukee Downtown DMV service center, 819 N. 6th Street, is now offering limited hours. If is open on Wednesdays in October from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on Saturday, October 31 from 8:30 a.m. to noon. As all state office buildings are closed to the public due to COVID-19, this location will remain closed to the public outside these times.
VOTING RIGHTS FOR RESIDENTS OF CARE FACILITIES
If you work in a care facility, resources are available to support you to help your residents exercise their constitutional right to vote.
- The Wisconsin Election Commission has updated their guidance Absentee Voting at Care facilities for November 3 election: https://elections.wi.gov/node/7134
- CMS October 5, 2020 Memo Release: Compliance with Residents’ Rights Requirement related to Nursing Home Residents’ Right to VoteThe Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services has issued this guidance as a reminder that nursing homes must still ensure residents are able to exercise their Constitutional right to vote.
- The Disability Vote Coalition has a series of voting videos, as well as fact sheets, posters, and postcards that are available as a resource for care facility staff and residents. All resources are on our website.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR NOVEMBER ELECTION
Be prepared! Here are some key deadlines for the November Election. These deadlines may change as a result of litigation.
Voter Registration
By mail or online: Wednesday, October 14
In-person at your clerk’s office: Friday, October 30
In-person at your polling place: Tuesday, November 3
Early Voting
October 20th is the first day that “Early Voting”, also known, as “In-Person Absentee Voting”, may be conducted. November 1st is the last day. Check with your clerk or look on MyVote Wisconsin.
Absentee Voting
Deadline to Request an Absentee Ballot:
- For Regular voters: October 29, 2020 @ 5 PM
- For Indefinitely Confined voters: October 30, 2020 @ 5 PM
- These are the legal deadlines. We recommend that you request your absentee ballot ASAP, and ideally by October 20th to allow time to for it to be mailed to you, and for you to complete and return the ballot by November 3rd.
Have a voting question or concern?
- Contact the Disability Rights Wisconsin Voter Hotline for assistance. Call DRW at 844-DIS-VOTE / 844-347-8683 or email info@disabilityvote.org. We can also assist you with filing a complaint.
- If you are a voter with a disability who has experienced an accessibility concern related to voting, report your concern to the Wisconsin Election Commission online or call 866-VOTE-WIS.
Help is available! Contact these resources:
- Your municipal clerk: gov/en-US/MyMunicipalClerk.
- Disability Rights Wisconsin Voter Hotline: 1-844-347-8683 / 1-844-DIS-VOTE
Email us at info@disabilityvote.org
Disability Vote Coalition: org/ - Wisconsin Elections Commission:
1-866-VOTE-WIS elections@wi.govgov/ - DMV Voter ID Hotline: (844) 588-1069. Apply for a free Photo ID for voting at the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
- org: nonpartisan information about the candidates
The Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition is a project of Disability Rights Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities.
