INTRODUCTION · Web viewThe ring is red on top with small white letters saying “Register,...

REV UP Get Out the Vote (GOTV) Toolkit2020 General Elections

INTRODUCTIONWhat is the REV UP GOTV Campaign?The right to vote is fundamental to our democracy and is one way that we can address racial, social, and economic disparities. At this moment of social, political, and economic conflict, it is critical that every eligible citizen has the opportunity to exercise this right, including people with disabilities. While 38.3 million people with disabilities are eligible to vote this year, these potential voters may not have an equal chance to cast their ballot due to a long history of voting inaccessibility, voter suppression, and new barriers caused by COVID-19.

To support voters with disabilities and ensure voting engagement organizations understand key policies affecting voters with disabilities, the American Association of People with Disabilities’ (AAPD’s) REV UP Network has created the 2020 Get out the Disability Vote (GOTV) Campaign. This GOTV Campaign is a national nonpartisan initiative to ensure voters with disabilities are registered, educated, and ready to vote safely in 2020.

What is in this toolkit?This toolkit explores the resources and content created for the 2020 GOTV Campaign and how you can use them to raise the power of the disability vote in your community. Here is a table of contents with links to each section of the toolkit:

● REV UP VOTING RESOURCES (Page 4)● SOCIAL MEDIA (Page 6)● ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (1)

AAPD REV UP | GOTV Toolkit | 1

REV UP VOTING RESOURCES AAPD’s REV UP staff researched and organized state by state info on voter registration, ID requirements, absentee and mail-in voting, early voting, curbside voting, electronic ballot delivery, and more. We gathered this election information directly from state Boards of Elections and fellow disability and voting rights advocates and have compiled it into several documents both for organizers and for voters:

● Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - Questions and concise answers addressing common voting issues in all states during the general elections, especially questions about vote-by-mail.

● State Voting Guides – Short and state-specific voting guides to help voters register, prepare, and voter in-person or by mail in the 2020 general election.

● 2020 Election Voting Options and Deadlines – Excel spreadsheet with election information for each state (and D.C. and Puerto Rico) on safe and accessible voting options, particularly for voters with disabilities.

Access all of our 2020 GOTV Campaign resources on our Voting in 2020 web page and learn more about each resource below.

FAQ DocumentAs state election divisions and county election offices adapt to voting during a pandemic, election rules have been changing rapidly and lawsuits are still active in many states. With our FAQs: Voting in 2020, we provide answers to a series of common questions that voters with disabilities may have, especially regarding voting by mail. The FAQs also include links to key voting resources from disability organizations. This document can be shared as a website or PDF or you can incorporate a few questions and answers from the document into social media posts, emails, and other outreach material. When reaching out to voters in a particular state, include links to state-specific election information when possible.


State Voting GuidesWhile the FAQs: Voting in 2020 resource answers general questions for the elections that apply to voters nationwide, we recognized a need for state-specific voter information for voters with disabilities. Every state has different voting rules and deadlines, which can be confusing to voters. We have developed State Voting Guides for every state, including D.C. and Puerto Rico, that have state-specific information on how, when, and where eligible voters can cast a ballot.

As election rules and deadlines continue to change, we are constantly updating the State Voting Guides to ensure they are as accurate as possible. We have also included many links to official state election websites to ensure that voters can verify info in the guides and easily find accurate and up to date information from their states’ election officials. If you find any information that needs to be updated in a State Voting Guide, please fill out this Google form!

2020 Election Voting Options and DeadlinesWhile the FAQs: Voting in 2020 and State Voting Guides are useful for voters with disabilities seeking relevant voting information, we have also created an extensive spreadsheet as a tool for organizers and advocates in disability and voting rights organizations. This 2020 Election Voting Options and Deadlines Spreadsheet contains a state-by-state breakdown of key election information, including voter registration, ID requirements, absentee and mail-in voting, early voting, curbside voting, electronic ballot delivery, and more. While many organizations break down election information by state, this spreadsheet includes critical and state-specific information on voting accessibility for voters with disabilities. To let us know about any updates that need to be made to the spreadsheet, please fill out this Google form!


SOCIAL MEDIAThe REV UP Campaign has several logos, graphics, images, and signs freely available for partners to use or modify for outreach and in promotional materials.

Logos

AAPD Logo in Navy Blue (transparent background)Image Description: Thick dark blue letters spell AAPD with a dark blue box on the left that has a white power on symbol in the middle. Background is transparent.

REV UP Logo - Horizontal (transparent background)Image Description: Horizontal logo with “REV UP!” in red and blue letters. A red bar above says “Register, Education, Vote! Use your Power!” in small white text and small blue letters below “REV UP!” say “Make the Disability Vote Count.”

REV UP Logo - Round (transparent background)Image Description: Round logo with “REV UP!” in red and blue letters against a white background inside a ring. The ring is red on top with small white letters saying “Register, Education, Vote! Use your Power!” and the bottom half of the ring is blue and says “Make the Disability Vote Count” in white letters.

Hashtags, Handles, and LinksMake sure to share AAPD’s online registration portal at weall.vote/aapdrevup and tag us in your posts at @AAPD (Twitter), @DisabilityPowered (Facebook), and @aapdofficial (Instagram). You can also use these hashtags when posting on social media to join the conversation on getting out the vote in the disability community:

● #DisabilityVote● #CriptheVote● #RevUp● #VoteReady

Social Media and Outreach Tips● Encourage people to start the voting process early to make sure their vote

counts.


● Include the link to AAPD’s Voter Registration Portal weall.vote/aapdrevup.● Share information about your state’s election deadlines or the State Voting

Guide.● Follow AAPD’s social media accounts (@AAPD, @DisabilityPowered,

@aapdofficial) and share AAPD’s posts on your own social media platforms.● Post a photo of yourself with your ballot envelope, “I Voted” sticker, or another

symbol of the power of your vote on social media. Tag AAPD (@AAPD, @DisabilityPowered, @aapdofficial) and use the hashtags #REVUP and #DisabilityVote.

● Use our GOTV Facebook profile frame by going to www.facebook.com/profilepicframes, searching for and selecting the “Get Out the Disability Vote” frame, and then clicking “Use as Profile Picture” to save. You can also find the Facebook frame at this link.

Sample Social Media PostsWe have put together some GOTV and FAQs about Voting Graphics that can be used in social media and other outreach to encourage people to vote and make sure voters with disabilities have the information they need. You can find image descriptions and links for all graphics in our GOTV Graphics and Image Descriptions document. Below are some sample posts you can use on social media:

Register! Educate! Vote! Use Your Power!Register! Educate! Vote! Use your power! Your vote matters this and every election, so start the process today to register, learn about the issues, and cast your ballot #RevUp #DisabilityVote #CriptheVote

Square Graphic for Instagram and Facebook Horizontal Graphic for Twitter


38.3 Million Eligible Voters with DisabilitiesDid you know that 38.3 million people with disabilities are eligible to vote? That means that 1 out of every 6 eligible voters has a disability, and the power of the #DisabilityVote keeps growing! #RevUp #CriptheVote

Square Graphic for Instagram and FacebookHorizontal Graphic for Twitter

Vote As If Your Life Depends On It"VOTE as if your life depends on it—Because it DOES!" #RevUp #DisabilityVote #CriptheVote


Request Your Ballot ASAPPlanning to vote by mail? Request your ballot today to make sure you can receive, mark, and return your ballot on time! #RevUp #DisabilityVote



The Election is One Week AwayElection Day is one week away! Vote early if you can, check your local elections office for what your voting options are, and look up a sample ballot to plan your vote before you go to the polls! #DisabilityVote #RevUp


Get a Sample Ballot from BallotpediaFind out what will be on your ballot before you get to the polls so you know what candidates and policies you want to vote for! You can find a sample ballot through your local elections office or at https://ballotpedia.org/Sample_Ballot_Lookup #RevUp #DisabilityVote


Know Your Rights Know your voting rights when going to the polls or voting from home! Your vote matters and can help decide the people and policies that govern healthcare, education, and more! https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/voting-rights/ #RevUp #CriptheVote #DisabilityVote

Voter Registration DeadlineMake sure to register by [registration deadline] by mail or online! [include link to voter registration application or web page] #RevUp #CriptheVote #DisabilityVote

Request Your Ballot (if applicable)Planning to vote by mail? Request your [absentee or mail-in] ballot as soon as possible to make sure your ballot arrives on time and is counted! #RevUp #CriptheVote #DisabilityVote [include link to application form or website]

Vote-by-Mail and Absentee Ballot Signature RequirementsMake sure to sign your [ballot or envelope] when voting by mail or absentee! [include if state requires signature matching or a witness] #RevUp #CriptheVote #DisabilityVote


Assistance with VotingYou are allowed to choose someone, except your employer or union agent [verify state rules], to help you mark your ballot. [Include if someone helping you mark your ballot must sign a statement on the envelope saying they assisted you. #RevUp #CriptheVote #DisabilityVote

Curbside Voting (if applicable)If you cannot enter a polling place, you can request poll workers to bring you a ballot to the curbside. #RevUp #CriptheVote #DisabilityVote

Accessible Remote Ballot (if applicable)If you have a disability, you can request a remote accessible ballot that can be received and marked electronically before printing and returning the ballot. [include link to application form or website] #RevUp #CriptheVote #DisabilityVote

Where to Go for Elections Help If you have any questions about voting or are facing any accessibility issues, reach out to our state’s protection and advocacy organization [include name and link to protection and advocacy organization and phone number and email] #RevUp #CriptheVote #DisabilityVote

I Vote For... I vote for [healthcare, Medicaid, the right to live in community, disabled lives, black disabled lives, mental healthcare, inclusive education, inclusive employment, accessible transportation]! #RevUp #CriptheVote #DisabilityVote

Voting FAQs Social Media PostsWhile many of the sample social media posts will be most effective for state and local organizations, we have created a set of social media graphics and posts with general information in the form of FAQs. These graphics include commonly asked questions about voting, especially voting by mail, with answers and links to additional resources. Find the graphics here, as well as in the GOTV Graphics and Image Descriptions document. Here are some examples of the FAQ posts:


FAQ: Is voting by mail secure? Voting by mail is a secure way to vote and some states have been voting by mail for many years! Request your ballot as soon as possible if you plan to vote by mail. #VotebyMail #DisabilityVote #RevUp

Question Graphic, Answer Graphic


FAQ: Can I vote if I have a disability?Yes! People with disabilities over 18 have the right to vote independently and privately. If you have a guardian, contact your local Protection and Advocacy organization to learn more about voting rights laws in your state. #RevUp #DisabilityVote https://www.ndrn.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/PA-CAP-LIST-2020.docx

Question Graphic, Answer Graphic

FAQ: Where can I find voting information in accessible formats?You can find voting information in ASL, plain language, screen-reader friendly text, and more from these orgs: @SignVote, @NAD1880, @NFB_voice, @acbnational, @AUCDNews, @NACDD, @NDRNadvocates

Question Graphic, Answer 1 Graphic, Answer 2 Graphic


ADDITIONAL RESOURCESNational and Local OrganizationsYou don’t have to do your voter registration efforts alone. The REV UP Initiative encourages area disability organizations to work collaboratively on voter engagement. Similarly, many national, state, and local civic organizations that already work on voter registration may be interested in partnering with disability organizations. Here are some nonprofit and government organizations you can engage in your Get Out the Vote efforts:

● State Protection and Advocacy Agencies

● Local Centers for Independent Living

● State Independent Living Councils

● State Developmental Disabilities Councils

● State and Local Chapters of The Arc

● League of Women Voters

● State Elections Office

Voting Tools from Disability & Voting Rights Groups

General Voting Information● Voting Checklist - Easterseals ● Voting Information Videos in ASL - SignVote● Disability Voter Guide - The Arc● Resources for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Voters - National Association of the Deaf● Resources for Blind and Low Vision Voters - National Federation of the Blind● Easy Read and Plain Language Voting Resources - Autistic Self Advocacy Network

● General Election Info by State - Vote.org

Specific Voting Issues● Guardianship and Voting Laws ● Guardianship and Voting Laws by State ● Guardianship and Voting Laws by State (Simplified) ● Incarceration and Voting Rights - National Council of State Legislatures● Help with Getting a Voter ID - Vote Riders● Help with Getting a Printed Absentee Ballot Application - Register2vote.org● ASL Hotline - National Association of the Deaf


● Election Protection Hotline

REV UP Resources● Voter Resources Center ● Voting Statistics ● Logos and Graphics ● U.S. Senate Candidate Questionnaire Template ● Candidate Forum Guide ● Issues Guide ● State Resources and Events ● Election Accessibility Toolkit

About AAPD and REV UPAAPD is a convener, connector, and catalyst for change, increasing the political and economic power of people with disabilities. As one of the leading national cross-disability civil rights organizations, AAPD advocates for the full recognition of rights for the over 60 million Americans with disabilities. AAPD’s programs and initiatives have been effective in mobilizing the disability community through communications advocacy; cultivating and training new and emerging leaders with disabilities through leadership development programs; increasing the political participation of Americans with disabilities and elevating the power of the disability vote through the REV UP (Register! Educate! Vote! Use your Power!) Campaign; and advancing disability inclusion in the workplace through the Disability Equality Index (DEI) — the nation’s leading corporate benchmarking tool for disability equality and inclusion. To learn more about AAPD, visit www.aapd.com.

AAPD’s REV UP Campaign aims to foster civic engagement and protect the voting rights of Americans with disabilities. AAPD works with state and national coalitions on effective, non-partisan campaigns to address the concerns of people with disabilities, eliminate barriers to voting, promote accessibility of voting; educate communities about issues and candidates; promote turnout of voters with disabilities across the country; and engage candidates and the media on disability issues. Learn more about REV UP at www.aapd.com/revup.

Questions?Do you have questions about Getting out the Vote in 2020 or need additional resources? Contact Rachita Singh ([email protected]) with questions or provide feedback on the GOTV resources with this Google form!


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INTRODUCTION · Web viewThe ring is red on top with small white letters saying “Register,...

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Transcript of INTRODUCTION · Web viewThe ring is red on top with small white letters saying “Register,...