Your Vote Counts: A Self-Advocate’s Guide to Voting in the U.S.

On election day, people pick who they want to represent them in elected office. This process is an important part of life in the community. It matters because people who make policy decisions change our everyday lives. Everything from curb cuts to anti-discrimination laws can change based on who holds elected office.

Understanding voting and how to know who to vote for is an important part of living in the community. People with disabilities deserve to understand how to vote. That’s where our new plain language voting toolkit comes in.

The toolkit focuses on the process of voting, and understanding how to prepare to vote on election day. This toolkit answers questions many first time voters have, such as:

  • What is voting?
  • Why should I vote?
  • What’s the difference between a primary election and a general election?
  • How does the Electoral College work?
  • How do I get ready to vote?
  • How can I get disability accommodations when I vote?

Your Vote Counts is available in two versions:

  • Our Easy Read Edition. The Easy Read version has three files: the main toolkit, a glossary of all the words used in the toolkit, and a section about voting laws in every state. The Easy Read version uses pictures along with large text, and has more white space.
  • A Plain Language Version without accompanying graphics. It includes a full glossary of all the words used in the toolkit, and a separate part about voting laws in every state.
Easy Read Edition
Plain Language Edition

The Plain Language version of Your Vote Counts has two parts. Click on the title of either of the parts below to download it:

This toolkit made possible by the generous support of The Ford Foundation.

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