A Voter Education Project

1
A Voter Education Project

• of the
• Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities

2
Foundation Step 1

• 1998 Senate Joint Resolution 105
• Sponsored by UCEDD Advisory Council and supported
  by DD Council
• Provides that persons with guardians could have
  their right to vote, serve as a juror, or hold
  civil office if approved by the voters in a
  general election
• Passed the Idaho Legislature and approved by the
  voters to amend the Constitution to give those
  with guardians these civil rights

3
Foundation Step 2

• 2004 National Project Vote Training
• Six people from Idaho attended this training in
  Chicago that was sponsored by SABE and funded by
  ADD and the Kennedy Foundation
• Idaho representatives included
• 2 self advocates and 1 support staff
• 1 Council staff member
• 1 P A staff member
• 1 person from the League of Women Voters
• Self advocate team members presented information
  to Idahos Help America Vote Act (HAVA) Committee
  County Clerks Association

4
Project Vote

• 2005 Collaborative Proposal to the Idaho
  Secretary of State to
• Assess and enhance
• polling place accessibility
• Increase accessibility
• awareness to poll workers
• Increase the knowledge of Idahoans with
  disabilities about the electoral process
• Increase the number of poll workers with
  disabilities

5
Determined to VOTE!

• 2006 Contract negotiated with the Secretary of
  State for a 2-phase project that is a
  collaborative effort between
• The Council on Developmental Disabilities
• Comprehensive Advocacy (Idahos PA)
• Idaho Task Force on ADA
• Idaho Assistive Technology Project
• Idaho League of Women Voters

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Determined to VOTE!

• Phase 1 Train the Trainers
• Recruit 14 individuals with disabilities (
  support staff) to attend a two-day training
• Training included
• Inclusion in the electoral process
• Ballot casting options (including AutoMark
  machine)
• Polling place accessibility
• Turning voter apprehension into determination
• Form 7 teams, each with a support person

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Determined to VOTE!

• Phase 2 Regional Trainings
• Each team conducted a minimum of 5 trainings for
  elders and people with disabilities
• Two presentations were made prior to the May
  primary election and the remaining 3 between the
  primary and the November general election
• Pre and post surveys conducted with all
  participants

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Determined to VOTE!

• Impact/Outcomes
• 258 people with disabilities and 403 seniors
  received training (goal 200)
• 20 of 258 voted (goal 10)
• 52 people voted for first time (goal 20)
• Collaboration with transportation provider for
  free and accessible rides to the polls
• Provided info at 3 SILC leadership training
  workshops national SABE meeting
• 3,000 people used new ballot marking device for
  first time

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What we heard

• Its about time!
• I dont know how to vote. I cant read.
• Keep up the good work.
• I usually dont vote because of my mom. She
  doesnt let me.
• First time I voted. It felt great. Some of the
  people I voted for won. That felt great!

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What is next?

• Negotiate with the Secretary of State for funds
  to offer training prior to the Presidential
  election in 2008

Idaho Council on Developmental Disabilities 802
W. Bannock St., 308 Boise, ID
83702 208-334-2178 or 1-800-544-2433 www.icdd.idah
o.gov