Voting Access Project Brochure - English

VOTING ACCESS PROJECT

ABOUT US
DISABILITY RIGHTS OREGON (DRO) promotes OPPORTUNITY, ACCESS & CHOICE for individuals with disabilities.  We assist people with legal representation, advice and information designed to help solve problems directly related to their disabilities.  All of our services are confidential and free of charge.

VOTING ACCESS PROJECT
The Voting Access Project at Disability Rights Oregon secures the voting rights of Oregonians with disabilities.

Our Voting Access Project:

Informs voters about available voting assistance
Investigates complaints of voting rights violations
Works with other advocates and with elections officials to improve voting accessibility

We hold regular trainings on voter rights, available assistance and other election information.

BE INFORMED ABOUT AVAILABLE VOTER ASSISTANCE.

Our trainings are available upon request. 
Please contact us to request a training in your community.

IN A DEMOCRACY, YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD, SIMPLY BY VOTING.

YOUR VOTE COUNTS.

You can help elect people that have the same ideas and values as you do.
You can help decide important issues for your community.

OREGON VOTER BILL OF RIGHTS
AS A VOTER IN OREGON, YOU HAVE MANY RIGHTS.

We have listed a few of your rights here.  For a complete list of your rights, go to our website.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO:

Vote, even if you have a guardian and even if you need help reading or filling out your ballot.

Choose whether or not you want to register as a member of a political party.

Vote for the person you want — you can write in someone else’s name if you don’t like the choices on your ballot.

Vote “yes” or “no” on any issue on your ballot.

YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO:

Leave some choices blank on your ballot — the choices you do mark will still count.

Ask for help from elections staff or from a friend or family member.
There are some people who cannot help you vote, like your boss or a union officer from your job.

Get a new ballot if you make a mistake.

Use a signature stamp or other signature mark, but first you have to fill out a form.
No one can sign for you.

Use a computer with accessibility features (like a screen reader) to fill out and print an alternate format ballot (AFB). 

File a complaint if you think your voting rights have been denied.

ALTERNATE FORMAT BALLOT (AFB)
If you cannot use a standard printed ballot, you now have options that allow you to vote privately and independently.

YOU CAN ASK FOR AN AFB FROM YOUR COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICE OR BY CALLING 1-866-673-8683.

The AFB can be filled out using a computer, printed, and then returned the same way as a standard ballot.
The AFB works with accessibility features such as screen readers and scanners.

If you do not have access to a computer, then you can go to your county elections office and use one of their accessible computers.

Each election computer has accessibility features, including:

Screen readers
Text enlargers
Switches
Joysticks
Custom keyboards 

Election computers also have scanners so you can check to make sure your ballot is filled out correctly before returning it.

IN 2010, A LARGE PRINT PAPER BALLOT WILL BE AVAILABLE TO YOU UPON REQUEST FROM YOUR COUNTY ELECTIONS OFFICE.

EASY VOTERS’ GUIDE
DRO works closely with partner agencies to produce an Easy Voters’ Guide.

MANY VOTERS HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUES IN ELECTIONS.

The Guide explains the ballot measures in non-partisan, easier-to-read language. 

There is also information from candidates in the Guide. 
It is available online, in print or on audio. 
Contact us for your free copy.

COMPLAINT PROCEDURES
If you think your voting rights have been violated, you can file a complaint.
Contact us for a complaint form and for assistance filling it out.

REGISTER AND VOTE
Contact the Oregon Secretary of State Elections Division to learn how to register to vote or to update your current voter registration:

Website:    www.oregonvotes.org
Voice:    503-986-1518
Toll-free:    1-866-673-8683 (ORE-VOTE)
TTY:    1-866-350-0596

YOU CAN CALL 1-866-673-8683 FOR ANSWERS TO ALL OF YOUR VOTING QUESTIONS.

For example, you can ask questions like:

How do I order an alternate format ballot?
How do I get a replacement ballot?
Where are drop boxes?

FUNDING
Major funding for the Voting Access Project at Disability Rights Oregon is provided by the US Department of Health & Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Developmental Disabilities.  The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of Disability Rights Oregon and do not necessarily represent the official views of the Administration on Developmental Disabilities.

DONATIONS
Disability Rights Oregon is tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Contributions are tax-deductible. 

GRIEVANCE PROCESS
Disability Rights Oregon has a formal client grievance (appeal) process.  Details and forms are available upon request.

CONTACT US
DISABILITY RIGHTS OREGON
620 SW Fifth Avenue, Suite 500
Portland, OR  97204
Voice: 503-243-2081 or 1-800-452-1694
TTY: 503-323-9161 or 1-800-556-5351
Fax: 503-243-1738
E-mail: votingaccess@disabilityrightsoregon.org
Website: www.disabilityrightsoregon.org

Printed in-house on 100% post consumer recycled paper
Alternate formats available upon request
Disability Rights Oregon is the Protection & Advocacy System for Oregon