The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law, in collaboration with the National Disability Rights Network and the law firm of McDermott Will & Schulte, has released an updated edition of their guide to the voting rights of people with mental disabilities, including mental health disabilities, intellectual disabilities, autism, or cognitive disabilities.
“Voting is in many ways the most fundamental of rights, as it is the pathway for people to secure all other rights,” said Jennifer Mathis, Deputy Director of the Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law. “We want to make sure people with disabilities have the tools they need to be able to exercise their right to vote.”
VOTE. It’s Your Right: A Guide to the Voting Rights of People with Mental Disabilities provides persons with disabilities, their families, advocates, service providers, and others with practical information about the rights of voters with mental health disabilities and the laws that protect those rights.
The updated guide explains key legal protections and addresses barriers voters with disabilities may encounter, including questions about voter competence and guardianship, challenges to a person’s eligibility to vote, and the right to receive assistance when voting. It also includes updated information on state voting laws and practices.
