Newswise — Choices made by lawmakers and election officials impact voting rights of all minority groups, including people with disabilities. University of Mississippi law professor Michael Waterstone says new laws and regulations relating to disabled voters could affect if and how they vote in the Nov. 2 general elections.
Following the 2000 presidential elections, the U.S. Supreme Court opened the door to involve the judicial system in the administration of elections. For people with disabilities, the way elections are conducted determines whether they are able to vote on an equal basis with other citizens. "Voters with disabilities often are not able to vote secretly and independently, and polling places are frequently inaccessible," Waterstone said.
Waterstone has conducted extensive research on election laws and minority participation, and has lectured and written about the voting experiences of people with disabilities.
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