Washington, D.C. — The National Association of Councils for Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) is proud to support the reintroduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act (VRRA) introduced on National Voter Registration Day, September 19, 2023.
“Access to the ballot is critical for democracy, yet people with disabilities often face substantial obstacles to exercising their right to vote,” said Robin Troutman, Deputy Director, National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities. “The Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder made it easier for states to pass laws that make it harder for people with disabilities to vote. The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would reassure all Americans that their access to voting is protected and that states cannot put in place practices that discriminate against minority voters and voters with disabilities.”
In recent years, laws restricting voting include actions such as curbing access to mail voting and implementing stricter photo ID requirements for voter registration or in-person voting can have a disproportionate impact on people with disabilities. The VRRA updates the Voting Rights Act to provide critical safeguards that would prevent states and localities with a recent history of voter discrimination from enforcing voting laws that have the effect of discriminating against minority and other voting populations at the polls or during an early voting period.
For more information, please contact Robin Troutman at rtroutman@nacdd.org.
