By Maria Samuels
WDOM is joining with the Westchester League of Women Voters on October 16 from 12 to 2 p.m. to present a special educational program on your voting rights. We will be at the Westchester County Center where we can sign you up for absentee ballots and register you to vote. There will be refreshments and raffle prizes so please join us. Check this space and our Facebook Page.
Believe it or not, People with Disabilities do not all have the same political views. Like every other voting bloc, there are wide-ranging opinions and disagreements. WDOM is a passionate advocate for the REV UP campaign, a national initiative by AAPD to Register! Educate! Vote! Use Your Power! You can tell we are passionate by how many exclamation points we use. We do not care what party or idea you vote for or against – JUST VOTE!
Vote as if your life DEPENDS on it …BECAUSE IT DOES!
I am not going to quibble about what Justin Dart said precisely. He has been quoted as saying, “Vote like your life depends on it…” and more often, not given credit for either quote. Fortunately, his legendary status doesn’t rely on just a single quote. Those 11 words are a battle cry for action, a rally against passiveness. As the saying goes, “Local Matters”. Local elections impact your life more directly than state and far more than national. 2024 Westchester local elections may not be as many as usual but pay attention and vote if it affects where you live, your block, or your town. This year is historical, primarily because of the presidential election, which is not one to be overlooked and not one that you want others to vote for you. Register before the October 26 deadline and vote on November 5. So yes: Vote as if Your Life DEPENDS on it…BECAUSE IT DOES!
What Does REV UP do?
Voter Registration Outreach
A cornerstone of the REV UP Westchester movement is voter outreach. Each year, REV UP strives to register voters who have disabilities.
Expanding Accessibility
REV UP is not just about getting people to vote; it’s also about making sure they can do so with ease and dignity. We prioritize and push for increased remote electronic voting for those who choose this method, polling places accessible for those who want to vote in person, and websites to be accessible. Is the effort worth it? Yes, it is. For those with a disability, it is vital to know that “inclusion” is not just a trendy word but a practice that determines whether People with Disabilities are genuinely part of their community. So, the voting experience MUST BE INCLUSIVE. Not 50% or 70%, but 100% Inclusive.
Widening Visibility
WDOM has partnered with the League of Women Voters of Westchester and other organizations many times to do events that emphasize that the visibility of the disability voting bloc is essential.
WDOM is an influencer and so is each member of the disability community.
We educate about legislation that benefits People with Disabilities and encourage the disability community to share the message with their circle of support (influence): family, friends, case managers, aides and others. WDOM’s efforts extend beyond voting to increasing civic engagement and influencing is part of civic engagement. We help build civic engagement with virtual and in-person events and encourage People with Disabilities to vote at every opportunity.
WDOM continues to promote this campaign every year, helping voters with disabilities exercise their rights and strengthening the foundation of our democracy.