North Country Center for Independence

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102 Sharron Avenue
Plattsburgh, NY 12901
(518) 563-9058 Voice & TTY
(518) 563-0292 Fax

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© 2007, North Country Center
for Independence, Ltd.

Updated: 10 / 19 / 07

Voter Registration

We at NCCI urge everyone eligible to register to vote and vote in all elections. We also work to raise issues that are important to people with disabilities, and make elected officials at all levels aware of them. However, we do not endorse or oppose any candidates or political parties. We hope you will use the information presented here to get involved in voting and politics no matter what your political views may be.

Step One: Register to Vote

If you need to register to vote, there are three easy ways you can do it:

1. Visit us at NCCI and we'll help you register to vote.

2. Visit your Department of Motor Vehicles, Department of Social Services, or most other government offices, and they will help you register to vote.

3. Download the New York State Voter Registration Form:

English version
Spanish version

[Get free Adobe Acrobat Reader to see these documents]

Print out the form, complete it, and send it in to your local Board of Elections:

Step Two: Take the Voter Pledge

If you just sent in a registration, or if you were already registered, and you are committed to voting from now on, let us know by taking the Voter Pledge.

Why do we ask you to complete a Voter Pledge? For one thing, registering to vote is only the first step; the whole point is to vote ... in every election! Secondly, when we can tell elected officials how many new voters with disabilities are not only registered, but committed to voting on election day, they will see our growing political power, and pay more serious attention to our issues.

There's a reason why so-called "special interest groups" have so much political influence. It's not only because they contribute money. It's because they vote, and politicians know it.

Step Three: Learn About the Issues and Candidates

If you are interested in issues that affect people with disabilities, ask candidates about:

Medicaid and Medicare Section 8 housing vouchers The Olmstead Decision Accessible public transportation Social Security Work Incentives

Long Term Care / Community-based services The Americans with Disabilities Act Assistive technology development Polling place / voting accessibility Special Education

Of course, you can also follow election campaigns for all national, state, and local offices by reading your local newspaper, watching or listening to the news on TV and radio, and tuning in to debates. Finally, if you have an opportunity to meet candidates and ask questions at local events, do it! Even one person with a disability at a campaign appearance can have an enormous influence on a candidate's understanding of disability issues.

Step Four: Vote

Contact your Board of Elections to find out where your polling place is if you're not sure. Also, ask about when the polls will open and close.

IMPORTANT NOTE: All polling places should be accessible to people with disabilities. If it is not, then your local election officials must do all they can to accommodate you. You can vote by absentee ballot if you wish, but that is not an adequate substitute for voting in person at an accessible polling place! Check the accessibility of your polling place as soon as possible, and send us an e-mail if it isn't accessible.

Other Links

New York State Board of Elections

National Organization on Disability

The League of Women Voters