A national effort is underway from July 15 – July 19, 2019 to make the DISABILITY VOTE more influential. The REV UP Campaign coordinates National Disability Voter Registration Week (NDVRW) each year on the third week of July to increase the political power of people with disabilities while also engaging candidates and the media to recognize the disability community. REV UP stands for Register! Educate! Vote! Use your Power! People with disabilities play an important role in our democracy and should be able to have as great a voice in the political process as anyone else who exercises their Constitutional right to vote.
There are over 35 million people with disabilities who are eligible to vote. This number increases to over 62 million when we include family members in the same household. The number of “disability voters” continues to increase when we consider the ripple effect of the disability vote that connects families, friends, advocates, educators, providers and other individuals who interact with people with disabilities. There is incredible potential for the disability community to bring disability issues (including education, transportation, healthcare, housing and employment policies) to the forefront of elections and hold elected officials accountable for policies and decisions that affect people with disabilities.
During National Disability Voter Registration Week, REV UP Campaigns around the country will make a concerted effort to get more people with disabilities registered to vote, educate voters about issues and candidates, promote turnout of voters with disabilities across the country, engage candidates and the media on disability issues, and protect eligible voters’ right to participate in elections.
Registered voters and individuals who cast their ballots are more strongly connected with their neighbors and family members. As engaged citizens, they are more likely to discuss community issues with their family and friends, do favors for their neighbors, advocate for certain issues and stay informed about local affairs. Nonprofit Vote has noted a correlation between voter and civic engagement to reduce unemployment, lower recidivism rates and better health. Compared to non-voters, voters have higher levels of self-reported health and a greater sense of personal efficacy.
You can do your part to support this effort to ensure that the important demographic of people with disabilities has a voice this November by visiting the Rev Up Voter Registration Center to learn more.
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