The Alliance for Rights and Recovery encourages all eligible voters to register, make a plan, and exercise their right to vote this November! Voting is more than a fundamental right. It is an important way to use our voices, participate directly in the democratic process, and help shape decisions that affect our health, rights, services, and communities.
Voting is good for your health! Civic participation promotes empowerment, self-determination, community inclusion, and a greater sense of connection to our communities. For people with mental health and substance use challenges and other disabilities, voting is an especially important opportunity to exercise our rights and ensure our experiences and perspectives are represented.
As the POWER Coalition reminds us through its new voter education campaign, “Nothing About Us Without Our Vote.” People with lived experience have spent decades advocating for a greater voice in the decisions that affect their lives. Voting is another powerful way to exercise that voice and help shape the future of our communities.
We recognize that voter registration requirements, voting procedures, and questions about eligibility can create barriers to participation. Fortunately, several excellent resources are available to help people in New York and across the United States understand their rights, navigate their state’s requirements, and prepare to vote.
We encourage everyone to explore and share these resources:
- Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law’s Updated Voting Rights Guide: VOTE. It’s Your Right provides practical information about the voting rights of people with mental health, intellectual, and other disabilities, including protections related to guardianship, voter eligibility, assistance at the polls, and state voting laws. Read the Updated Guide.
- POWER Coalition’s “Nothing About Us Without Our Vote” Campaign: POWER has launched a national voter education initiative featuring a Comprehensive Voter Guide for People with Lived Experience. Developed by and for people with mental health and substance use experiences, the materials address voter registration, voting options, requirements for people with criminal justice histories, and other important issues. The campaign emphasizes that recovery includes empowerment, autonomy, and community participation. The POWER campaign announcement is attached, and additional information is available at supportrecovery.us.
- “Vote as if Your Life Depends on It!” — Alliance Annual Conference Presentation: Featuring Phyllis Vine and Shannon Higbee, this presentation explores the connection between voting and health, the barriers people with disabilities face, and practical strategies for increasing voter participation. Access the Presentation on the Alliance Website by scrolling down to the Take Action section.
We encourage our members and partners to check their voter registration, learn about their state’s voting requirements, and make a plan for how and when you will vote. We also encourage providers, peer supporters, advocates, families, and community organizations to share these resources and help others overcome barriers to participation.
Voting is an opportunity to affirm our independence, exercise our rights, and participate in decisions that shape our communities.
Your vote is your voice. Register, make a plan, and go vote this November!