Autism NOW Webinar July 31, 2012

7/31/2019 Autism NOW Webinar July 31, 2012

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Did you know? 30% of eligible Americans are not registered to vote

In 2008, voter registration rate of people w/

disabilities was 3.3% lower than that of people w/out

disabilities

Voter turnout rate of people w/ disabilities was 7.2%

lower than people w/out disabilities

Only 46.1% of people w/ cognitive impairments votedcompared with 64.5% of people w/out a disability

a gap of 18.4%, or a 28.5% lower rate of turnout

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Why The Arc?Breadth700+ chapters

Depth49 states, DCHistory60+ years

Missionpeople w/ I/DD,

families, across lifespan

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1. Voter Registration

2. Voter Education

3. Candidate Education

4. Voter Mobilization

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Weve Got the Power!

4 Components


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Voter

Registration

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Why dont

people vote? Lack of knowledge about choices

Unsure about the voting process

Forgot to register

Medical reasons

Away from the area My vote wont count

Dont do politicsAchieve with us.


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What do

Voters Want? Reasons why to vote from a peer perspective

Help with or training about how to vote

Information about what issues on the ballot

Information about choosing a party

Information on which offices up for electionare all about

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Why Register

People to Vote

1. Elected officials know who votes2. Clout for The Arc

3. Power for the disability community

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Voter Registration

Getting Ready Make a Plan

Get Buy-In Publicize Activities

Educate Voters

Identify Partners

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The Mechanics

Registering to Vote

In-person

At board of elections

Fill out registration (can be with assistance)

By mail

Fill out registration & mail to local board of elections

Online http://thearc.www.capwiz.com/election/register_vote/

Know deadlines for registration

Check with local board of elections

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http://thearc.www.capwiz.com/election/register_vote/http://thearc.www.capwiz.com/election/register_vote/http://thearc.www.capwiz.com/election/register_vote/


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Issues to Consider Eligibility

Age18 years old, or will be 18 on election day

People with I/DDguardianship issues

Current registration status Already registered? Check at ww.nonprofitvote.org

New voter registration?

Changes in district Moved since last election?

Plans for in-person vs. absentee/early voting

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http://www.nonprofitvote.org/http://www.nonprofitvote.org/


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Focus on the month before the Deadline

Voters who register nearer the election

more likely to vote Plan to have most active voter registration

in few weeks before your states deadline

Use time to promote voter registration inchapter communications and signage in

your office/program areas

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Registering People

to Vote


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Voter

Education

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What do voters

need to know? Knowledge of the voting process

Confidence about casting a ballot Urgency & importance

Issues that will impact them

Where candidates stand on issues

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Voting Process1. Registration

2. Timing

3. Polling Place Locations

4. How to get there

5. How to cast ballot

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Confidence

in voting Accessibility

Communications w/ Poll Workers Assistance w/ voting machines

Practice on different types?

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2000 PRESIDENTIAL POPULAR VOTE SUMMARY FOR ALL CANDIDATES(Updated 12/2001)

Candidate (Party Label) Popular Vote % of Popular Vote

Al Gore (Democrat) 50,999,897 48.38%

George W. Bush (Republican) 50,456,002 47.87%

Ralph Nader (Green) 2,882,955 2.74%

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Urgency &

Importance


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IMPORTANT TO REPEAT

30% of eligible Americans are not registered to vote

In 2008, voter registration rate of people w/disabilities was 3.3% lower than that of people w/outdisabilities

Voter turnout rate of people w/ disabilities was 7.2%lower than people w/out disabilities

Only 46.1% of people w/ cognitive impairments votedcompared with 64.5% of people w/out a disabilitya gap of 18.4%, or a 28.5% lower rate of turnout

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Urgency &

Importance


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Issues Impacting

Constituents Federal Level

Medicaid

Vocational Training & Education

Family Supports

State Level

Medicaid

Waiting Lists

Education Funding

Local Level

School District Funding

Local Transit

Recreation OptionsAchieve with us.


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Candidate Stances

on Issues While we dont endorse candidates, we

want to elect those who will support ourcritical issues

Dont know where candidates stand on

issues important to our constituency?ASK THEM!

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Candidate

EducationAchieve with us.


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Candidates Need

to Know What is important about our constituency?

What issues are important to our voters?

What are candidates going to be asked to do

if they are elected?

Why our constituency matters now, andafter the election

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Connecting with

Candidates1. Sponsor a Candidate Forum

2. Invite a Candidate to an Event

3. Do Candidate Survey/Questionnaire

4. Share Policy Ideas (Dont Cut Our Lifeline!)

5. Attend Candidate Events

6. Encourage Advocates to be Poll Workers

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Co-sponsor a candidate forum with

other nonprofits Advertise a forum sponsored by others

Hold a debate watching party

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Candidate Forums


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Candidate Surveys1. Cover broad range of issues

2. Clear and unbiased questions

3. Distribute to every candidate in the race

4. Give reasonable time period to respond5. If no response, indicate Did Not Respond.

Do not leave them out of printed responses,or fill in their issue positions from external

sources.6. Promote their answers to all constituents and

partners.

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Voter

Mobilization

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Efforts on or just before

Election Day

to help people get to the polls

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Get Out the Vote--

What is it?


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If people dont show up andvote, none of this matters!

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Get Out the Vote

(GOTV)!


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Make it personal

Give voters the help they need

Turn up the (nonpartisan) volume

Whats the message?

WEVE GOT THE POWER!

VOTE IN 2012!

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Get Out the Vote


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Early voting is gaining popularity 1 in 3

voters vote early

Let chapter members know aboutopportunity to vote early how and

where to do it

Check your states rules on early orabsentee voting

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GOTV--

Early Voting


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Promote Why voting is important

Do it electronically, in print, via signage

Logistics Help people register

Assist in getting people to the polls

Process

Educate voters about how to register

Educate about the issues

Partner Work with other community groups

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GOTV--

You Can Help!


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Hold a mock election

Teach voting vocabulary words

Hold a debate watching or voting results party

Hold a Trick or Vote event

Create simple handouts with information on:

what races are on the ballot

how to vote

polling place locations

ballot initiatives

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GOTV--

Sample Activities


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Month 1

articles in newsletters, promotion via social media & website

build relationships with local community groups doing voterpromotion

Month 2

register people to vote via local events or at program locations

hold debate viewing parties for presidential debates

register people to vote on Sept. 25 (Natl Voter Registration Day)

Month 3

October, 2012Disability Employment Month

Month 4

November 6, 2012GOTV!Achieve with us.

Suggested Timeline

of Activities


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Dates to Remember

September 25, 2012

National Voter Registration Day

November 6, 2012

Election Day

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Additional

Resources The Arcwww.thearc.org (stay tuned!)

Nonprofit Votewww.nonprofitvote.org

Project VOTE

www.sabeusa.or/govoter

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http://www.thearc.org/http://www.nonprofitvote.org/http://www.sabeusa.or/govoterhttp://www.sabeusa.or/govoterhttp://www.nonprofitvote.org/http://www.thearc.org/


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More InfoDee Dee Eberle

Director, Chapter Organizing & Advocacy

[email protected]

202-534-3726

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mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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Continue the discussion through our FORUMS!

You will receive an email shortly with a link to our discussion board. ThePowerPoint and recording will also be provided in this email. Email Phuong

([email protected] ) if you experience any issues.

Website:

www.autismnow.org

Information & Referral Call Center:

1-855-828-8476

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Tuesday, August 7, 2012, 2:00-3:00 PM, EDT

Sex and Relationships: How Do I Figure This Out?
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Autism NOW Webinar July 31, 2012