Self Advocation Power Hour Episode 2: A Guide to Voting Rights: Navigating November 5th 2024

October 9, 2024 | by sau1admin

Today, we have Michael Anderson from the Arc of Philadelphia. He is a voting rights advocate. He will discuss some of the issues that will face, or could face disabled Americans at the, at the polling places. This podcast is audio only. Full Transcript is below the episode player. You can find the episode links at https://sau1.org/post/podep2links.

Disclaimer: The show hosts and guests try their best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, no one is perfect. Please always check with your locality or county office or appropriate channel for the most up to date and accurate information.

Transcript

Introduction

Ed Auerbeck: Hello, and welcome to another episode of the Self Advocation Power Hour. My name is Ed Auerbeck And today, we have a little bit of a twist. We got a new co-host for the week and it is David Champignon. David, nice to see ya and good to be working with ya.

David Champignon: Nice, nice to see you. I look, I look forward to uh, uh covering ish..covering issues uh import...important to not only me, but, but uh people, but people in PA in c...in coming episodes.

Ed: Yes, um we, today is a special episode. I say that every week, but every one to, every one of these is special to me, not only because of the work we put in, but also the people we get to meet. And today we have Michael Anderson from the Arc of Philadelphia. He is a voting rights advocate. He uh will discuss some of the issues that will face, or could face disabled Americans at the, at the polling places. So, without further ado, here's the interview.

Conversation

Michael Anderson: Let's get started. I'm actually the legislative advocate for the Arc of Philadelphia. I do all of the legislative work for the Arc of Philadelphia. And I actually am a member of the REV UP Committee.

Ed: Oh, ok. First question is how do we keep voter information secure in compliance with the Help America Vote Act?

Michael: We keep voting information secure by not letting people know, by keeping your information private and the only way your attendants or your parents have, attendants or parents or caregivers many times know, know who you're voting for would be have help them with your ballot. That's, that's very, that's very, it's very important. By not bringing your information to the public, but only with them, but only with one or two people know who you're voting for. Or, or have them, if you're doing a mail in ballot only one or two people have access to your ballot. Then not have the whole world have access to your ballot.

Ed: David anything the comes across as a follow up that you might want to ask off that? Or should we go to the next question?

Michael: So my basic point is do not let your ballot open so everybody can see and if you're voting the person only with one person in with you at all times.

David: That's very, that's very, very important.

Ed: Yep. The next one guys is how does one encourage early voting and mail-in ballots that is done in a way to seem to help every Pennsylvania voter regardless of party affiliation?

Michael: The big thing I would say is have social media blasts with all the key dates so every demographic is not left out. Or the big thing is social media or send newsletters or send a big organizational message, 'cause I don't feel like anybody should be left out. So there's a variety of things that I would suggest you do.

Ed: David anything, anything off that at all?

David: I would, I would just say that that's, that, that's great. And I, I came up with the question because early voting and mail and ballots, don't have the bi...in my opinion, don't have the bipartisan reputation that it, that it deserves. It should be known as helping other uh, every, every voter and...

Michael: That's why, that's, that's why I said it doesn't matter if you have a disability or not it should be, it should be with every voter. My big quote is it should help anybody regardless of party affiliation or disability or non disability.

David: Cert uh, certainly. No, you uh answered both the question and my follow, my follow up, follow up very well. I, I wish, I wish it had a different uh a different repu...reputation to be honest with you.

Ed: You have to be willing to confront some issues. And be able to speak up in, in each individuals way.

Michael: If you have problems just before, I would call the lawyers. There should be lawyers on standby. If there's emergencies you can call your lawyers. Your lawyer or your parents or you can ask the poll worker for assist.

Ed: Michael, the next one is, how do we ensure that voters know and understand their rights regarding provisional ballots if they encounter issues, let's say an hour before voting?

David: Before the polls close.

Ed: Yes.

Michael: If they have issues regarding uh provisional ballots then I would call The Disability Rights Network or DRP. I would ask a poll worker for help. Call a lawyer or have somebody help you from the polling place. Or call your parents or family members or caregivers. There's a whole bunch of things. You just need to advocate for yourself.

Ed: We are big on that here, Michael, like that you were able to incorporate that into your answer because that is the biggest part is speaking up and letting people know or maybe not the biggest part but one of the big parts. I think that'll be very helpful. David anything, anything you'd like to say on that?

David: Just a brief follow up. In your experience, when voters have questions about, about their provisional, provisional ballots are poll workers generally recept, receptive to in, to individual, to individual concerns?

Michael Yes, I've had no problems with, because I'm all friends with my poll workers, so they all know me, so that's not, I've had no problems with myself, is that everybody knows me in that, in that precinct so I have no problems.

David: That's cool. So you have a personal connection, you have a personal connection with, with them. That's real, really helpful.

Ed: That, that's good to know the little personal information, cuz we have a polling place about less than a minute from my house and I feel the same way that you do, Michael about, I'm so close, so close or at least close in the way that I know everybody that works the polls.

Michael: Can I ask a question of David and Ed? Why did you ask about provisional ballots and not just voting in general?

David: Well, we, do have some general uh general vote, voting questions.

Michael: Oh, I'm sorry that I ju...I'm sorry that I jumped the gun.

David: Oh, Oh, no, you're fine, you're fine.

Ed: Yeah, I was gonna say Michael, you're good, man. We'll be covering general voting and all those things as well, but we just wanted to, we just wanted to make sure if these issues come sort of last minute, like David said, when the polls close and all that kind of stuff, we're just curious about that specific issue. We have more questions for ya.

Michael: Ok, let's go! Let's fire away, I'm ready!

Ed: All right. Take your swing at this one.

David: Have you encountered issues before with poll workers following through with voter's declaration of need for assistance?

Michael: I have not personally, 'cause I...everybody knows me so I have not personally, no.

David: Okay. That actually answers the question, the question uh completely.

Ed: Now we'll go, we'll go on to the one that I decided to jump ahead on. And say, what if I am denied a braille ballot or the assistance that I asked for on Election Day?

Michael: Remind them that, two things, remind them that I'm a registered voter and it's against the ADA. The big thing is, you have to tell them that it's against the ADA. If you're disabled voter that is denied the right to vote, remind them that yes, I have the right to vote. It's against the ADA.

David: The law that Michael was refer, was referring to there does cover voting rights for peop, for people with disabilities. Not on, not only the Help America Vote Act but, but other, other law, other laws mentioned on that, mentioned on that source page.

Michael: Remind them that you are a registered voter and you have right, just as anybody else, to go vote.

David: Yes, yes. Definitely, definitely.

Michael: And also if the polling place is not accessible uh, I shouldn't say demand, but strongly ask them to put a ramp out so you can get to your polling place.

David: I believe that the Help, that the Help America Vote Act that we referenced in a previous question requires that voting places be, be accessible. So that would be, that would be the law that they're, that they're violating in the event that voting place is not, is not accessible.

Michael: You would be surprised how many voting places are not accessible. You would be surprised.

David: Really?

Ed: Oh, I just, just from my brief experience, uh I, I know that um mine, mine fortunately enough happens to be, but I can only imagine the kind of different uh, kind of different setups. If you ask for something like that or, or let people know with enough uh forcefulness that this is, this is what you need, and this is what you want, that, that's a way to change the system. And I think, I think that's the bi...I think kind of what we're talking about with speaking up earlier, and then just mentioning it there, like it is really about uh individual scenarios. And don't just take it as well I guess I, I guess I can't vote. You have to do so much of the work yourself but if you make enough noise they'll be a big enough community to come and support you. And it sounds like you have that community around you that if there was any issues you'd be able to speak up but also have a bunch of support which is great. How do we uh encourage participation during off, off year elections?

Michael: To encourage voter participation during off year elections is, is make sure that all elections, they get covered. Make all your social media posts. No matter when the election is you have to keep pushing on to get the vote out, especially the disability vote out. So don't give up even though it's not a presidental year or if it's an of year election you still have to do the same thing that you do for presidental by doing social media posts, videos, etcetra.

Ed: All right.

Michael: Or even newsletters. Put it in your newsletters. Tell your friends and family to vote during off year elections and make videos, newsletters, social media channels, everything that you would do during a presidential year.

Ed: Yep, David and I both agree that they're just as important or, or very close to important and they, they need to be talked about in that way. But that's why we wanted to ask the question to some people that maybe don't pay attention to uh, to off year elections, just how, just how valuable they can be.

Michael: 'Cause off year elections, off year elections can be important too because it could be a town election and if the disability voice don't get heard during off year elections then the politicians will not pay attention to you. You don't go out and vote, you have no reason to complain.

David: That, that's ver...that's very tr...very true, Micha...Michael. I agree with e...I agree with everything with you just...with everything that you just said.

Ed: Yep, I, I uh, I concur as well. I like, I like the, the directness of that answer, especially the last part. The uh, yeah, it's, it's tough, part of the, oh go ahead, Michael.

Michael: That goes for any population, not the disa...not just the disability vote. But if you don't vote, my attitude is you have no reason to go to your official and complain. If you don't vote, you don't have a reason to complain.

Ed: Right. Right, that's just a general, not rule but a general philosophy that you have and, and I personally think that that is very valuable to know.

Michael: Register your complaints at the ballot box.Then if they don't listen to you then show up at the, their office.

Ed: Yes.

Michael: Or write a letter or whatever. If it's a national election, you can't show up to the White House, but if it's a local election, you can show up to their off...

Ed: What if, as a voter with a disability I am asked where my caregiver is at the polling place?

Michael: Tell them that you don't need a caregiver and it's ridiculous, that you don't need to caregiver to vote and you don't need a caregiver to come there, that's a bunch of hooey.

David: A bunch of hooey.

Michael: I would say something else, I would cuss, but not, not in the podcast.

Ed: [Laughter] I appreciate that discretion.

Michael: I do. I can't cast my vote without an attendant or my mom and dad. Or I need support from my poll worker. I can't fill out a ballot by myself.

Ed: Okay. Yeah, 'cause I, I was just curious what it would, what it would uh be like. What is a key part to voting that you wish more people understood that they, they don't seem to or what's one thing that you would tell them about voting uh if, if you could sort of broadcast it to people and uh make sure, sort of get their antennas up for something they should be, they should be aware of before going to the polling place.

Michael: And this is my answer so make sure that you have enough time. First of all I would not pay attention to just one source of media. I would go on the candidate's websites if you're not sure about how they stand. And also, I would not just listen to one channel or one podcast. I try to be as fair as I can. Although I do listen to one or two channels, I do try to go on there. I do try to study the candidates before I make an informed choice. But to be honest with you, I don't need to make, I don't need to study the presidential candidates because I know where they stand on almost about everything. But most candidates I study their issues by, especially with local elections I go to the website. And don't just, you can't pay attention to everything on the internet, news, or anything. Go to multiple sources.

Ed: Yes. I would echo that very strongly and I, I appreciate your answer and specifying some of the, some of the areas where you can go and some of the areas where uh it would be advised that maybe...

Michael: To be honest with you, there's a bunch of BS stuff that's, a bunch of BS stuff that's on the website that isn't true about the candidate. So you have to check your sources.

Ed: Right, exac...exactly. There's a lot of reading between the lines that has to go on and it can be difficult but to truly be infor...informed, I think, I think that is a good strategy. David, would you, would you agree?

David: I, I would definitely agree. In fact, I' m holding myself accountable here. I, I have um really the last, the last two or three elections, I have tried to do more, more research then when I was, then when I was younger. It is really, really important to research candidates actual positions before, before, uh before voting. I haven't always done it, but I'm doing it more now than I did when I was younger.

Michael: I, I'm not gonna lie I don't practice what I preach sometimes, but I, that's a good thing what I do. But I, I don't want to get into my political views because it's my privacy.

David: Of course.

Ed: Right, exactly we don't intend to encroach on that at all, Michael. We appreciate your honesty and I think the answer you gave was one of the best ones as far as being able to one to be an informed voter and encouraging people to be an informed voter, but also admitting that sometimes you don't always do it yourself. That's the nature of being human I believe. And then lastly, or at least the last one that I have, Michael is, is there any question that I haven't asked you surrounding elections and voting that you wish that I would have?

Michael: Just my big take away is don't forget to register and educate yourself and vote, because if you don't vote, you have no right to complain and you have no right to protest. In my mind you have no right to complain, if you don't vote because you didn't manage to do the simple half an hour task, or an hour task, or five minute task. So you, in my view, you have no reason to complain. If I have to go sit there and wait six hours to vote, I would sit and wait six hours to vote. I mean, that's my passion. So register, educate yourself and don't forget to vote. And don't forget to take a look at the deadlines of when's the last day to register and when's the last day to do an absentee ballot or a provisional ballot or just the hours of your polling place. So register, educate yourself, [Michael Yelling] and vote! The disability vote matters more than you think it does.

Ed: I love your passion, Michael, I really do and I think that's gonna c...

Michael: Get out there and vote, you guys!

David: Yeah, I apprec...I appreciate your pat, your passion too.

Michael: Get out there and vote, you guys! How many times do I have to scream it?

Ed: We appreciate it and as many times as you want to say it, you say it, Michael. I like that passion and I approve of it myself. But I'm sure there's thousands of others or millions of others that would, would concur with you. Michael, if if I could like I said, I don't in, I don't intend to encroach on personal beliefs at all. I would just like to know since, since you are so passionate could we, could we also ask how and when you started becoming so passionate about politics, how long it's been sort of in your blood or, or part of your life?

Michael: Well to be honest with you, it's been in my blood since I was a kid because I, I'm re...related to the, to Louis Brandeis, the Supreme Court Justice. And my grandparents were civil rights leaders from the get go. But I really started doing political work when I was eighteen years old and now I'm forty two. I voted in every election, on and off year election since I was eighteen years old.

Ed: Wow, that is a great answer but also just a great show of commitment from you, Michael, and I would just, I would just like to applaud you on that. Especially for something that, that for you to have all those family ties and everything, I I'm sure it is something close to your heart. So I I appreciate you answering that.

Michael: I want to tell you a funny story. My parents wouldn't let me get my birthday gifts on my eighteenth birthday until I registered to vote. They were like you aren't getting your birthday gifts until you register to vote.

Ed: [Laughing] Oh!

David: That's, that's funny.

Ed: Oh, wow, that is going to be an interesting story to put i...in the podcast. If you're, if you're comfortable with it Michael, we would lo...

Michael: Yeah put it on my podcast, because my parents said the first thing you're doing is you're registering to vote. You're not getting your birthday gifts until you register to vote.

Ed and David: [Laughing]

Ed: Any loopholes to not give you your birthday gifts. I'll tell you what. [Laughter from all]. That is wild and interesting and, and a fun anecdote, I think to go out on.

Michael: And guys, if you have any questions about your voting place or whatever just email me. And you can feel free to give out my email address to everyone.

Ed: I was gonna say, uh would you, would you like Michael just to give out your email right here? Or would you like us to say it in an intro or outro for uh people to reach out to you?

Michael: In the intro or outro.

Ed: Okay, we can do that for sure. I, I appreciate you wanting and uh and encouraging people to reach out. David is there any other questions that you want to ask? I didn't know if you and anything that you would like to follow up on.

David: Just a comment. I'm very uh, I'm very passionate about voters rights and getting, getting people regist...register to vote on a completely bipartisan basis. When, when we vote regardless of our party affiliation in my opinion we're all better off for it. And a podcast like this will hopefully get the word out that that's true.

Ed: Yes, I feel tremendously motivated just by that statement alone, but definitely by the message

Michael: And may I add something, if you put it on the podcast?

Ed: Yeah. Sure. Sure.

Michael: This, this is important if you need food or water if you have to wait in line, don't forget to ask the poll workers for food or water. Because maybe, I'll stand out there for hours. So if you're hungry don't feel, don't hesitate to ask for food or water.

David: That's actually something I forgot about it. Thank you, Michael. That's very important, especially in elections where there's a long line.

Ed: Yep.

Michael: Can I add something? And if your state does not allow food or water, or if you're in some of those conservative states that don't allow food or water just bring your food yourself and maybe make a stink and the law will be changed next time. But if they don't hand out food or water just bring your lunch, bring your dinner, and then make a stink next time.

Ed: You'll just have a regular picnic at the polling place I guess.

Michael: Yeah.

Ed: If you have to. But that's a great way of persevering around some policies no matter how you feel about them, just finding any way to make sure that your vote is counted and counts.

Michael: And if it's rain, bring and umbrella or rain poncho.

David: That's important too.

Ed: Yep, there's all manner of ways to, to prepare yourself for Election Day and, and that is definitely one of them as well.

Wrap Up

Ed: All right. Welcome back. That was our interview. David Champignon and myself with Michael Anderson from the Arc of Philadelphia. His email is M Anderson at Arc Philadelphia dot org. If you want to reach out to him, as you heard at the end of the interview, he's very eager for people to reach out. His title at the Arc of Philadelphia is a Legislative Advocate. So if you're interested, please reach out to him. Also, if you want more information just check the episode description for links and you'll be able to find all the information you need there. David, any final thoughts on the conversation?

David: It was a very, very enlightening, conversation. And I should point out that all the information the discussed is to benefit all voters in Pennsylvania with disabilities so that they know their rights and can help themselves with any possible situation that might come up.

Ed: Very well, said David. I appreciate that. That is key to realize, we're just passing forward the information. We're not telling you what to do with it or or who to vote for. That's everybody's each individual decision and however you feel going to the polling place that day is, is everybody's each individual personal business. No means to harp on anything or feel like we're coming at this from a, from a partisan perspective because we definitely don't want to do that. And I I appreciate your clarification there.

David: Yes.

Ed: All right. So that'll do it for another episode of the Self Advocation Power Hour. I'm Ed Auerbeck for David Champion. I would just like to say, thank you guys very much for listening and uh we'll be seeing you down the road. Speak up.