Voting Rights

Understanding Voting Rights and Civic Participation for People with Developmental Disabilities

In Michigan, you have the right to vote regardless of what type of disability you have. Most people who will be 18 or older on Election Day can vote if they have registered to vote. You can register to vote in Michigan if:

• You are a U.S. citizen.
• You have been a resident of a city or township in Michigan for at least 30 days (or will be by Election Day).
• You are at least 17 and a half years old.
• You are not currently serving a sentence in jail or prison.

People who have a guardian can register to vote if they meet the requirements listed above.

Federal laws such as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) protect a person's right to vote privately and independently. These laws also require polling places to be accessible and guarantee people with disabilities the right to cast their ballot using an accessible voting machine called a Voter Assist Terminal (VAT).

Voters with disabilities can also request accommodations like curbside voting, accessible absentee ballots, and assistance with voting in-person. Please note: If you request assistance filling out your ballot, the person who helps you cannot be your employer, an agent of your employer, or an officer or agent of your labor union.

Voting laws continue to change over time, but individuals with disabilities are guaranteed the right to fully participate in elections even if they have a guardian.

What are some current issues related to voting that impact people with disabilities?

Although laws exist to protect voting access, individuals with disabilities may still experience barriers.

Polling places must be accessible and are required to have at least one VAT on site. Election officials must consider accessibility in and around the polling place, including ensuring that doors are unlocked and that alternatives to stairs, such as ramps or elevators, are provided.

Some polling locations are currently not accessible for all voters. If your site isn’t accessible, you should be directed to an alternative site that is accessible. Alternatively, you can request to vote curbside and have a ballot brought to you outside your designated polling place. Inaccessible polling places often make voting more difficult for people with disabilities.

Voting technology may also create issues for voters with disabilities. People with visual, mobility or cognitive disabilities may have trouble using current voting technology. Alternatives, such as accessible absentee ballots, are available. But, many voters may not be aware of these accessible absentee ballots. Requesting accessible absentee ballots can also create barriers and make the process of voting more complicated for voters with disabilities.

Awareness of these challenges can help communities work toward more inclusive voting practices and ensure eligible voters with disabilities have an easier time exercising their right to vote.

Why Your Voice Matters

For people with disabilities in Michigan, voting is a right. Barriers to voting make it difficult for voters with disabilities to participate in elections. By sharing your lived experiences, both positive and negative, you can educate your elected officials and help them understand what is needed to make voting more accessible for people with disabilities.