Stop the Attack on Voting Rights
Call or write your congressperson and urge defeat of the SAVE Act and any similar legislation or rules that would disenfranchise people with disabilities. Check for any similar legislation that may be put forward in your state.
Sample script
Good morning/afternoon! I’m [your name], and I’m a constituent of [lawmaker’s title/name]. I’m calling to express my concern about attempts to limit voting rights by demanding proof of citizenship. The SAVE Act in Congress [or similar state legislation if calling locally] is a good example of a bad bill. This is a particular burden for people with disabilities. Getting a birth certificate, passport, or even a driver’s license or state ID can be costly and difficult for many voters, and more so for those with disabilities. I really hope [lawmaker’s title/name] will help make it easier for all of us to vote, not harder. Thanks for your time. Have a good day.
Background
Two concurrent efforts could suppress the right to vote for millions of citizens. First, the US House passed H.R.22, the SAVE Act, earlier this year. It would amend the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require proof of United States citizenship to register an individual to vote in elections for Federal office. The legislation has run into delays in the Senate.
Not satisfied with the delays, Trump signed an order demanding the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) enact a rule demanding proof of citizenship. A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction this past week, noting that neither the President nor the EAC have authority to impose this restriction. Voting rules are left to Congress and the states.
While most of us abroad have passports, that’s not always an option for people with disabilities. The cost and requirements to apply for one can be prohibitive. Likewise, birth certificates and driver’s licenses in the U.S. can present the same hindrance.
Barriers to exercising their right to vote (often out of compliance with the ADA) are already extreme, common, and significantly reduce the number of voters with disabilities. This is likely a deliberate attempt at voter suppression. Add to that, a number of states have legislation similar to the SAVE Act in the works
Let us know if you get a response [email protected]