Your VOTE, Your Voice

Posted on by Lee Sherwood & Nicole Allen ,Disbility Rights Tennessee
Red white and dark blue sign with text in a circle on the left side, "REV UP. On the right of the image are two color blocks, red and blue, "POWER THE DISABILITY VOTE."

Voting is a right, but why is it so important?

Every election year, especially during a presidential election, we are surrounded by conversations about getting out to vote. As a United States citizen, voting is the way that you can make your voice heard. It gives you the power to elect leaders who create laws and policies that affect your life.

Your vote matters!

When you cast your vote—whether in a voting booth on election day, through early voting, or by absentee ballot—you’re using your voice to say what’s important to you. Here in Tennessee, almost 1 in 3 residents has a disability. This number is important because your experiences help you decide what changes you want to see and who you want to be in office. Unfortunately, Tennessee has had some of the lowest voter turnout rates in the country. But voting is one of the best ways to change your community.

Some people may think their vote doesn’t matter, that the process is too complicated, or that it won’t make a difference. But elections at every level such as local (like city council or school board), state (such as governor or state senators), and federal (for president and members of Congress) can impact your daily life. While some people only vote every two or four years in state and federal elections, participating in local elections can help make the voting process feel easier and less scary. Remember, if you are registered to vote in Tennessee, you have the right to participate in elections.

Make a voting plan!

Whether you’re voting for the first time or have voted many times before, going out to vote might feel intimidating. That’s why it’s important to know your rights, have a voting plan, and talk with your family, friends, and support systems about your voting experience.

Steps to Prepare for Voting:

  1. Register to Vote: You must register at least 30 days before the election you are voting in and can do this at the Tennessee Secretary of State’s website. Visit the website here. You can also check your voter registration status here if you think you have already registered.
  2. Get Ready to Vote:
    1. Look up your poll site location and write it down.
    2. Make sure you have a photo ID issued by Tennessee or the federal government.
    3. Review a sample ballot online or print it out. Sample ballots for every Tennessee election can be found on the TN Secretary of State’s website.
    4. Make notes! You can write down who you want to vote for, who you want to have help you at the polls, and/or any reminders you might need with you when you head in to vote.
    5. Know your voting rights!

A few of these voting rights include:

  1. You can vote by yourself or choose to have assistance. If you choose to have help, you may select who assists you.
  2. Even if you have a conservator, you can still vote unless a court specifically says otherwise.
  3. You also have the right to seek help if someone tries to prevent you from voting. You can contact Disability Rights Tennessee if you need any help on election day at 1-800-342-1660.
  4. You have the right to vote according to your preferences.
  5. If you’re waiting in line when the polls close, you must still be allowed to vote.

How can Disability Rights Tennessee help?

Disability Rights Tennessee (DRT) is the designated Protection & Advocacy (P&A) system in Tennessee, proudly serving people living with disabilities and/or mental illness across all 95 counties. At DRT, our Voting Advocacy Program makes sure that you have the tools you need to vote confidently and without barriers. We visit colleges, transition fairs, and other community events to talk about voting rights, share voting stories within the disability  community, and help people register to vote in upcoming elections. Review DRT’s voting resources here.

Our work doesn’t stop there. We monitor poll sites to check for accessibility features like magnifying glasses, adjustable height voting booths for easy wheelchair access, ADA compliant doors, ramps, and hallways. If you have problems on election day or want to learn more about your voting rights, call our hotline at 1-800-342-1660.

If you need help or know, support, or love someone who needs help, contact DRT! Contact us by email at GetHelp@DisabilityRightsTN.org, by phone at 1-800-342-1660, or online at www.DisabilityRightsTN.org.

About the Authors

Lee Sherwood is the Director of Community Relations and Development at Disability Rights Tennessee (DRT). She has been a proud member of the DRT family for over two years, following the completion of her Master’s in Human Rights from the Global Campus of Human Rights in Venice, Italy. Lee has dedicated her career to the disability services and advocacy field since attending Sewanee—the University of the South. Although not originally from Nashville, Lee has called the city home since the age of 15, when her family moved from Galveston, TX. In her free time, Lee enjoys reading, walking at Radnor Lake State Park, and spending time with friends and family.

Nicole Allen works with Disability Rights Tennessee in the Protection and Advocacy for Voting Access (PAVA) program as the Voting Program Coordinator. She has been with the agency over 5 years and in this current role since 2023. Nicole has over 20 years’ experience in the non-profit sector and has a passion for being a resource and helping others. She attended Tennessee State University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Psychology and Sociology. Nicole has been an advocate for social justice and community empowerment throughout her professional career. She has attended multiple National Women’s Rights marches and currently serves on the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Access, and Social Justice (IDEAS) Taskforce at Disability Rights Tennessee. She watched her mother, a retired educator, diligently teach, share knowledge, and advocate for others, which has inspired her to do the same. Nicole currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband with whom she recently celebrated 25 years of marriage. They have two daughters. In her free time, she enjoys crafting, which she finds to be more than a hobby. It is a source of joy.