Rep. Wild Introduces Voters with Disabilities Bill of Rights

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Susan Wild (PA-07) announced the introduction of the Voters with Disabilities Bill of Rights to stand with the disability community to guarantee that they are equally able to cast their vote on in our elections. Introduced on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, this legislation seeks to honor Dr. King’s legacy of work on access to the ballot for our most vulnerable and disenfranchised communities.

“America’s elections are inexcusably and unjustly inaccessible. Ensuring every American can participate in our democracy helps create a government that is more connected, responsive, and representative of the people,” Wild said. “Congress has a responsibility to ensure that all eligible voters have the resources and support they need to make their voices heard in our elections.”

Despite the size, diversity, and interest of people with disabilities to participate in the U.S. electoral system, the GAO found that 65% of voting stations were inaccessible in 2016. Additionally, Pew Research Center found that though people with disabilities pay more attention to presidential elections than their non-disabled peers, they continue to turnout to vote at a lower rate.

Wild’s legislation would reaffirm that voters with disabilities have the right to a private and independent vote. It would ensure that they have the right to vote under guardianship and they receive access to voting systems and materials in polling places that are accessible and well-maintained.

The Voters with Disabilities Bill of Rights is endorsed by the National Disability Rights Network and is cosponsored by Reps. James Langevin (RI-02), Susan Davis (CA-53), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Max Rose (NY-11), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Chris Pappas (NH-1), Wm. Lacy Clay (MO-1), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Grace Meng (NY-06), Raúl M. Grijalva (AZ-03), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Nydia M. Velazquez (NY-07), Jerry McNerney (CA-09), Darren Soto (FL-09), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-11), Ann Kirkpatrick (AZ-02), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Deb Haaland (NM-01), Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11), Adam Smith (WA-09), and Earl Blumenauer (OR-03).

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