Vote anyway

I wonder if I'll be compelled to use an electronic voting machine tomorrow. They haven't existed at my rural precinct before and I've never used one or personally needed more than a low, private carrel to do the deed. Many times (in other places) I've gotten the low but not so private end of a long table, right next to everyone who comes with their ID.

I've ridden public buses to polling places I've never been, unsure of access until I get there. I've sat in long lines to vote in the Arizona sun, when the polling place was too small to hold more than ten to fifteen people in the line, plus the officials and those actually voting. I could barely turn around for running over toes that time. I've gotten up early to get my vote in before class or work. I've wandered strange sidewalks for the accessible entrance. I've gotten dressed on days I otherwise wouldn't have left my home. I've gotten there and realized I didn't have any ID. I've had poll officials make an embarrassing fuss over helping me. I've also succumbed to apathy more than once with local elections or school bond votes that just didn't inspire me.

These are typical issues for disabled people that don't want to vote absentee. I want to be there publically. I want to represent a little bit. I want to see my community. I want to know voting officials are prepared for me. I want them to know they're prepared for me and that they needed to be.

Voting is at the very least a fuss. For many disabled people it's a real adventure or frustration. For people in poor communities, or people of minority groups there's the real possibility that someone will challenge their right to vote. Or they'll be illegally turned away. Or an electronic machine will fail or lack of training of poll workers will make the wait to vote for disabled folk extremely long and tiring.

Maybe an error will require you to go and get a second, clean ballot and the prospect is embarrassing. Maybe the new electronic machine won't do what you want it to do and you feel like giving up. Maybe you doubt the need for your one vote.

Vote anyway. Represent.

Stare the naysayers square in the face and demand the provisional ballot, if necessary. Arrange for back-up transportation, if possible, in case the paratransit lift breaks, or they never come for you. Call someone for a ride. Bring a folding chair so you can bear the wait in line. Bring a snack so you won't get hungry and weak if the wait is extraordinary. Bring a list so you remember your choices and feel competent. Get there any way you can.

Go vote Tuesday.