NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Studies suggest Tennessee may soon see an increase in voter turnout for those with disabilities and some say it has everything to do with more accessibility.
The study from Rutgers University published last month, shows how historically Tennessee has struggled to get those with disabilities to the polls. In that same study, they say that could all change this year.
Carol Francisco is blind, but that hasn’t stopped her from voting in every election she can. It took her no more than five minutes to vote this time, thanks in no small part to the poll workers who know now know her by name.
“That’s not the experience everyone has had,” Francisco said.
On the off chance a handicap-able machine breaks down, Francisco says those with disabilities are then left at the mercy of people who may not have the training to help.
This year and only this year, Carol was eligible to get an absentee ballot by email. Fears over COVID-19 eased those restrictions, making it so more people have access.
“We are hoping to make this permanent with the state legislator,” Francisco said.
Carol and the Tennessee Disability Coalition, pointed us to the Rutgers University study. The study notes that during the 2018 midterm elections, Tennessee ranked second to last with 38.5 percent of voters with disabilities casting their ballots.
In this election, given the changes, estimates from the same study suggest we’ll nearly double that rate with 62 percent. That total would bring Tennessee within the top ten.
That’s 992,000 votes according to the study and for Francisco, it doesn’t take much to see how they could make a difference.
“We must increase their participation in the democratic process and the reason we must do this, is that we are very much affected by what government does,” Francisco said.
The study also notes that the biggest reasons given by those with disabilities for not voting were issues related to health and a lack of transportation.
