As a person with a disability, it is your civil right to vote and to have the necessary accommodations to vote in state and federal elections. This right is protected under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), a federal civil rights law that provides protections to people with disabilities that are similar to protections provided to individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, age, and religion. Title II of the ADA requires state and local governments (“public entities”) to ensure that people with disabilities have a full and equal opportunity to vote.
Voting is a very important civic responsibility, but many people with disabilities either cannot or do not vote in their local, state, and federal elections, despite being eligible to vote! It is important to us at DRW that the disability community is properly represented in local, state, and federal politics, so we encourage all people with disabilities to get out and vote. Remember, people with disabilities make up around 1/6th of eligible voters. Your vote counts!
Strategies
Disability Rights Wisconsin employs a combination of advocacy strategies to assist people with disabilities to ensure they are receiving the adequate voting rights to which they are entitled. We advocate on behalf of those who believe their right to vote has been infringed, we provide resources on how to vote when you have a disability, and we push for legislation which makes it easier for people with disabilities to vote in elections.
Information about Voting and Elections
Visit our Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition website for current information on elections and voting info.
View the WDVC Voter Toolkit for the 2022 Elections here for resources to prepare to vote.
For more information about guardianship and voting, visit the Guardianship and Voting resource page here.
For information on absentee ballot return assistance for the November 8th election, view our accessible Absentee Ballot Return Assistance document here.
Voting Concerns or Questions
Have a voting concern or question? For help with disability related voting questions, including help to file a complaint, contact the Disability Rights Wisconsin Voter Hotline at 844-347-8683 or visit the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition website.
Disability Rights Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Board for People with Developmental Disabilities coordinate the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition. The Coalition is a non-partisan effort to help ensure full participation in the electoral process of voters with disabilities. We provide training, outreach, and educational fact sheets and videos.
To stay up to date on voting issues, follow the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition at:
- Disability Vote Coalition website
- Like us on Facebook and share our posts
- Email us with questions or to subscribe to our email newsletter
More Assistance and Voting Info
Contact the Wisconsin Election Commission Toll-free Voter Help Line at 1-866-VOTE-WIS for assistance with voting questions or check the Wisconsin Election Commission website.
You can view your ballot, check your polling place, and view your voter registration information at My Vote Wisconsin.
You must have an acceptable Photo ID to vote. Find out about the ID you can use at Bring It to the Ballot.