Voting

• About the issue
• Why does this matter to people with disabilities?
• Are there any proposals that would make a change in this issue?
• Who can I contact with my questions?
• Background Information For This Issue

About the issue: (Top of page)

Every eligible citizen of this nation has the right to register to vote, enter a polling place without barriers, cast their vote and have that vote counted correctly.

There are many laws in this state and country that protect the right to vote for all people, including people with disabilities. Even with these laws, people with disabilities don’t vote at the same rate as the non-disabled population. They typically vote at a rate that is 15-20% lower. Disability advocates have identified some barriers that explain this voting gap.

In 2002 federal legislation was signed into law to modernize our voting process. The legislation called the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) requires all polling places to have at least one voting machine that allows people with disabilities to cast a secret and independent ballot. It also requires that voters can cast a provisional ballot.

As part of HAVA, Wisconsin developed a State Plan that describes how they will implement it in the state. The Plan explains how HAVA funds will be spent. It also says that poll workers will receive disability awareness training, all polling sites will be assessed for disability access, and vendor fairs will be held to educate the public on new voting machines. All of these activities are designed to remove barriers to voting.

Why does this matter to people with disabilities? (Top of page)

With rights comes responsibility. Citizen advocates can better influence decisions elected officials make, if they vote. Elected officials, including the governor and your legislators, can find out whether you vote, but not how you vote. These busy people will pay more attention to your issues, if you take your voting responsibility seriously and vote.

Are there any proposals that would make a change in this issue? (Top of page)

• Assembly Bill 158 - Voting Registration
  This bill changes voter registration deadlines. It would eliminate registration at the polls on Election Day. It would require voters who register in person at clerks' offices to do so at least 14 days before an election rather than by the day before. I [More on Assembly Bill 158 ]
  Outcome: Hearing held in Assembly. Passed out of the Elections Committee and referred to the Rules Committee. Failed to get out of that committee.
• Assembly Bill 323 - Conservation Congress Voting
  This bill requires the Dept. of Natural Resources in conjunction with the Conservation Congress to provide a way for people with disabilities to vote at home on matters being considered by the Conservation Congress. [More on Assembly Bill 323 ]
  Outcome: Referred to the Assembly committee on Natural resources. Failed to get out of committee.
• Assembly Bill 390 - Felony Voting
  This bill restores a person's right to vote once they are released from prison or jail. This would allow a person to vote if they are on probation or supervision. [More on Assembly Bill 390 ]
  Outcome: Referred to Assembly Elections committee. Failed to get out of committee.
• Assembly Bill 530 - Voting Leave
  This bill increases the minimum time off that employers must grant to employees for voting from three to eight succesive hours. The bill also ends an employer's ability to designate a time when the employee can leave work to vote. [More on Assembly Bill 530 ]
  Outcome: Referred to Assembly committee on State Affairs. Failed to get out of committee.
• Assembly Bill 549 - Voting ID - Optional
  This bill would allow a voter to elect to be required to show identification in order to vote. This bill defines what is permissible identification. This requirement would also apply to absentee voting. The bill allows a voter to withdraw this requireme [More on Assembly Bill 549 ]
  Outcome: Hearing held in the Assembly. Passed out of Elections committee. Referred to Assembly Rules committee. Failed to get out of that committee.
• Assembly Bill 888 - Instant Runoff Elections
  This bill permits the governing body of each county, municipality, or other local governmental unit that is served by elective officers, except a town or village where a caucus is used, to adopt a preferential voting method (also called an "instant runo [More on Assembly Bill 888 ]
  Outcome: Failed to get out of Assembly committee on Elections and Constitutional Law.
• Joint Assembly Bill 17 - Photo ID
  This proposed constitutional amendment says that a qualified voter may not register to vote or vote on election day unless they present a photo ID issued by Wisconsin or the federal government (2nd consideration). [More on Joint Assembly Bill 17 ]
  Outcome: Had a hearing in the Assembly, passed out of committee, and passed the Assembly. It was referred to the Senate where it never got out of committee.
• Senate Bill 6 - 17 Year-old Vote
  Allows 17 year-olds to vote in a Primary Election if they will be 18 years-old at the time of the General Election. [More on Senate Bill 6 ]
  Outcome: Hearing held in the Senate. Passed out of committee, referred back to committee and then failed to get out of committee.
• Senate Bill 40 - Biennial Budget
  This bill is Gov. Doyle's proposed budget. It covers all state spending and revenue. [More on Senate Bill 40 ]
  Outcome: This bill was signed into law on 10-26-07 and became Act 20.
• Senate Bill 200 - Photo ID - Optional
  This bill would allow a voter to volunteer to be required to present a valid Photo ID in order to vote. The bill defines what is a valid ID. If the voter chooses this option, it would also apply to absentee voting. [More on Senate Bill 200 ]
  Outcome: Referred to Senate Labor, Elections, and Urban Affairs Committee. Failed to get out of committee.

Who can I contact with my questions? (Top of page)

John Shaw
Wisconsin Council on Developmental Disabilities
201 W. Washington Avenue
Madison WI 53703-2796
Phone: Voice (608) 266-7707; TDD (608) 266-6660
Email: shawj2@dhfs.state.wi.us
Fax: (608) 267-3906

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Background Information For This Issue (Top of page)

• American Association of People with Disabilities Vote Project
• League of Women Voters-Wisconsin
• National Organization on Disability
• Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition
• Wisconsin State Elections Board
• Accessible Voting Machine Information
• How to Host a Candidate Forum
• Voting Guide for Citizens with Disabilities