Key TakeawaysAround 40 million people with disabilities are eligible to vote in 2024.Recent changes to voting laws in some states may create barriers for disabled voters, especially after some pandemic-related accommodations have been reversed.Disabled voters have the right to bring a helper to the polls, and resources are available to ensure they can cast their ballot.

Key Takeaways

Around 40 million people with disabilities are eligible to vote in 2024.Recent changes to voting laws in some states may create barriers for disabled voters, especially after some pandemic-related accommodations have been reversed.Disabled voters have the right to bring a helper to the polls, and resources are available to ensure they can cast their ballot.

A new report from the Rutgers Program for Disability Research estimates that 40.2 million people with disabilities will be eligible to vote in November. This represents a 5.1% increase from 2020, largely due to an aging population and medical advances that have extended the lives of people with disabilities.

“People with disabilities are the sleeping tiger in American politics,” saidLisa Schur, PhD, co-director of the Rutgers University Program for Disability Research. “They represent a large and growing portion of the electorate and could make a critical difference in the outcome of this and future elections.”

Disabled voters make up a larger portion of the electorate (40.2 million) than Hispanic/Latino voters (35.7 million) or Black voters (31.1 million). Additionally, 7.1 million disabled voters reside in key battleground states, including Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

While mail-in voting during the COVID-19 pandemic improved accessibility for disabled voters, recent laws in several states could make voting more difficult, according to Schur.

How to Navigate Voting With Disabilities

The first step for any voter to participate in an election is making sure that you’re registered to vote. While some states have ended registration for the 2024 presidential election, others have same-day registration, saidMichelle Bishop, manager of voter access and engagement at the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN) in Washington, DC.

Bishop added that the right to vote includes people with cognitive disabilities.

“Election law in the U.S. does not really define cognitive disability,” Bishop said. “Even if you have a disability diagnosis or live in a psychiatric or residential facility, you are still eligible to vote, though states can have more restrictive criteria.”

She noted that most states have laws restricting voting rights based on voter “competency,” but typically, a judge would need to make that determination. The NDRN provides aguide to voting with cognitive disabilitiesthat can help individuals and caregivers.

Bishop said the NDRN has received reports of disabled voters being turned away at polling places. In those cases, a poll worker cannot challenge the eligibility of a voter based on their disability.

“We also sometimes hear about a person with a disability bringing the assistant of their choosing to help them vote, which is their right under the Voting Rights Act, and being denied that assistant,” Bishop said. “In the moment, a voter can always contact our state affiliate in their state or Election Protection—either is ready to help on the day of and make sure you get to vote.”

Bishop said that anyone with a disability who wants to vote should think through these steps of the voting process:

Tips for Voting on the Day of the Election

If you need assistance on election day, call the Election Protection Hotline at 866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683).

According to the American Civil Liberties Union, here’s what you can do at your poll site:

You can find more voting resources atThe Arc, a disability advocacy group.

How to Improve Voting Accessibility for People With Disabilities

Social isolation is likely the biggest factor affecting voter turnout for disabled individuals, according to Schur.

“People with disabilities are less likely to be part of social networks that encourage them to vote,” Schur said. “People with disabilities are also somewhat more likely than people without disabilities to believe the political system is not responsive to people like them which can discourage someone from voting.”

Schur said her research group’s surveys show there has been significant progress since 2012 in reducing voting barriers, although many disabled voters may not be aware of the improvements.

At the same time, certain states have also “scaled back the policies that made it easier to vote during the pandemic, and these restrictions can especially impact people with disabilities,” she added.

Bishop said that most voters will “not have to jump through hoops of fire to cast a ballot” and emphasized that disabled voters and their vote matter.

What This Means For YouIf you’re a disabled voter, it’s crucial to ensure your voter registration is up to date and understand the specific voting options available in your state. Early planning, knowing your rights, and seeking assistance if needed can help you navigate any challenges on election day.

What This Means For You

If you’re a disabled voter, it’s crucial to ensure your voter registration is up to date and understand the specific voting options available in your state. Early planning, knowing your rights, and seeking assistance if needed can help you navigate any challenges on election day.

2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations Program for Disability Research.The number of people with disabilities is growing and they are voting in greater numbers.American Civil Liberties Union.Know your rights: voting rights.Additional ReadingRutgers School of Management and Labor Relations Program for Disability Research.Projecting the number of eligible voters with disabilities in the November 2024 elections.

2 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations Program for Disability Research.The number of people with disabilities is growing and they are voting in greater numbers.American Civil Liberties Union.Know your rights: voting rights.Additional ReadingRutgers School of Management and Labor Relations Program for Disability Research.Projecting the number of eligible voters with disabilities in the November 2024 elections.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations Program for Disability Research.The number of people with disabilities is growing and they are voting in greater numbers.American Civil Liberties Union.Know your rights: voting rights.

Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations Program for Disability Research.The number of people with disabilities is growing and they are voting in greater numbers.

American Civil Liberties Union.Know your rights: voting rights.

Rutgers School of Management and Labor Relations Program for Disability Research.Projecting the number of eligible voters with disabilities in the November 2024 elections.

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