News & Advocacy in Disability Rights

`We're Glad You Won!'

By Cyndi Jones, Publisher

I voted today. I always look forward to the mid-term elections because usually I get to vote as if I were 2 or 3 people. This is entirely legal. You see, when there is low 34% voter turn out my vote counts for three registered voters and many more unregistered citizens.

I take great glee in watching the election returns to see exactly how many people let me vote on their behalf. Now, I know I shouldn't be so happy about low voter turn out, but I do like the power it gives me.

Now that this election season is over, we need to consider a couple of things.

First, whoever won the election in your area - state, district, city council, school board þ is YOUR representative. In the past if the person I voted for lost, I felt like I had to wait for the next election; that I would not be represented. The election binds in both directions. Whoever won is my elected representative and I am their constituent. In other words, no matter what, we are bound to each other until the next election.

This is actually good news. Starting today, we have two years to educate each Representative and six years for each new Senator. Let the education process begin. We don't have a moment to lose.

Begin by writing a congratulations letter. "We're glad you won! And, by the way, here is something that is of concern to me þ MiCASA, ADA, IDEA, Work Incentives" - fill in the blank. You don't need to give them everything in the first letter, just the one that is the most important to you. Remember, this is first and foremost a congratulations letter. You have time to continue the process of letting them know who is in their district.

Occasionally you will get a notice about a town hall meeting in your area. Make every attempt to go to these and take a few friends with you. It is very difficult to go to Washington, but if people with disabilities are present every time your Representative has a local town hall meeting, it will make an impression. Then when you send your letters, faxes, emails, phone calls, there is a human face with the issue.

I know it is difficult to get the crowds out, but if there are 2 or 3 people with disabilities present, it FEELS like a crowd. It is like water drops, pretty soon the glass is full, "Everywhere I go there are people with disabilities. Maybe I should pay more attention to those letters."

Lastly, it is time to begin working on election 2000. Everywhere you go, ask people if they are registered to vote. Talk up the importance of the disability vote. Plan ahead, the next election will be here before you know it. It takes time to plan voter registration, education, candidate forums, and flyers. Set a goal for what you and your organization will do by the next election. In election 2000, we can show our power by the numbers.

Cyndi Jones is Publisher of MAINSTREAM.

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