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 39 - Voter Registration
  This bill allows municipalities to create satellite voting stations for absentee voting. The bill permits an elector to obtain and cast an absentee ballot at a satellite station. It also ensures that all satellite stations have accessible voting equipme [More on Assembly Bill 39 ]
  Outcome: This bill did not make it out of committee by the end of the session. This matter will have to be addressed by the next legislature.
• Assembly Bill 93 - Robo Calls
  This would prohibit the use of certain automated telephone calls commonly called "Robo Calls". These are typically used during elections. [More on Assembly Bill 93 ]
  Outcome: This bill had a public hearing but never passed out of committee before the end of the session. This matter will have to be addressed by the next legislature.
• Assembly Bill 249 - Election Practices
  This bill makes several changes in the laws relating to elections and voting. Included in the bill are deceptive election practices, and voter intimidation, suppression, and protection. [More on Assembly Bill 249 ]
  Outcome: This bill never passed out of committee by the end of the session. This matter will have to be addressed by the next legislature.
• Assembly Bill 330 - Absentee Voting
  This bill allows overseas and military voters to vote by absentee ballot without obtaining a U.S. citizen to verify their eligibility. The bill also removes the requirement that every absentee voter must certify that he or she is unwilling to appear at t [More on Assembly Bill 330 ]
  Outcome: This bill had a public hearing and passed out of committee as amended. It did not pass the Assembly before the session ended. This matter will have to be addressed by the next legislature.
• Assembly Bill 353 - Felon Voting
  This bill would restore the right to vote to persons convicted of a felony and changing the information required on voter registration forms. [More on Assembly Bill 353 ]
  Outcome: This bill had a public hearing and passed out fo committee as amended. It did not pass the Assembly before the session ended. This matter will have to be addressed by the next legislature.
• Assembly Bill 406 - Ballot Challenges
  This bill would change current law challenging the ballots of electors at polling places. It would provide that an elector who challenges the ballot of a voter must reside in the same ward or election district as the challenged voter. [More on Assembly Bill 406 ]
  Outcome: This bill had a public hearing and passed out of committee as amended. It did not pass the Assembly before the session ended. This matter will have to be addressed by the next legislature.
• Assembly Bill 814 - Voter ID - Optional
  This bill allows a person at the time of voter registration to choose to be required to show identification when voting. The bill defines what identification would be acceptable. [More on Assembly Bill 814 ]
  Outcome: This bill failed to pass out of committee before the end of the session. This matter will have to be addressed by the next legislature.
• Joint Assembly Bill 39 - Age to Vote
  This amendment to the state constitution would change the eligibilty age of voting from 18 to 17 years. [More on Joint Assembly Bill 39 ]
  
• Senate Bill 179 - Election Practices
  This bill makes several changes in the laws relating to elections and voting. Included in the bill are deceptive election practices, and voter intimidation, suppression, and protection. [More on Senate Bill 179 ]
  Outcome: This bill had a public hearing but failed to get out of committee before the end of the session. This matter will have to be addressed by the next legislature.
• Senate Bill 199 - Voter ID
  This bill requires a person to present a vaild Wisconsin driver's license, military ID or Wisconsin ID before registering to vote or voting. The bill also contains other provisions related to voting. [More on Senate Bill 199 ]
  Outcome: This bill did not pass out of committee before the end of the session. This matter will have to be addressed by the next legislature.
• Senate Bill 240 - Felon Voting
  This bill would restore the right to vote to certain persons barred from voting as a result of a felony conviction and changing the information required on voter registration forms. [More on Senate Bill 240 ]
  Outcome: This bill had a public hearing but never passed out of committee by the time the session ended. This matter will have to be addressed by the next legislature.
• Senate Bill 272 - Ballot Challenges
  This bill would change current law challenging the ballots of electors at polling places. It would provide that an elector who challenges the ballot of a voter must reside in the same ward or election district as the challenged voter. [More on Senate Bill 272 ]
  Outcome: This bill failed to pass out of committee. This matter will have to be addressed by the next legislature.
• Senate Bill 350 - Optional Voting ID
  With certain limitations, this bill allows a voter, at the time of registration, to volunteer to be required to show a valid indentification card (ID) in order to vote in elections. Current law does not require that a voter show valid ID when voting once [More on Senate Bill 350 ]
  Outcome: This bill failed to pass out of committee by the end of the session. This matter will have to be addressed by the next legislature.

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: John1.Shaw@wisconsin.gov
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