What is NYLN?
A youth-led, youth-run national
organization that serves as a
voice for and network of young
leaders with disabilities.
Our members are youth and
young adults with disabilities
(age 16-28) and allies (siblings,
friends, parents, teachers, etc.).
You can register to be an NYLN
member at www.nyln.org. As a
member you will get great info
and be connected to other
young leaders and allies around
the country.
IMAGE: Picture of the NYLN logo.
It has a hand imprint on it, and it
reads: National Youth Leadership
Network.
Why vote?
• Voting is a very important right.
• If you are 18 years old and a US
citizen, you have the right to vote.
• People fought hard so we could
vote.
• Your vote helps decide what rights
we have and who serves as our
political leaders.
• Voting makes our democracy work.
IMAGE: Two people calling for
candidates under a big sign that
says VOTE!
Laws That Make
Voting Accessible
• Americans with
Disabilities Act (ADA) of
1990
• Help America Vote Act
(HAVA) of 2002
IMAGE: Picture of a blind man
voting. He is wearing
headsets and typing his vote. A
woman is standing over his
shoulder supporting him.
Registering to Vote
IMAGE: A hand
• In most states, you have to register as a
holding an ID card.
voter before the election. You have to fill
There are flag pictures
voting boxes in the
out a voter registration form and mail it to on
background.
your County Clerk. The mailing address
and deadline is usually listed on the back of
the registration form.
• Contact information for your County Clerk
can also be found at the front of your local
phonebook.
IMAGE: A check mark to
specify what you vote for.
Methods of Voting
• There are many different ways to vote. The way
that you vote may depend on what state you live
in.
• Make sure you find out which ways you can vote
in your state before it is time to vote.
• A few different ways to vote are:
o Paper ballot voting at the polls
o Electronic voting at the polls
o Mail in and absentee ballots
Voting at the Polls
• All states have polling places where
you can go to vote. Usually they are
in your community. By law, polling
places should be accessible.
• If you are voting at the polls, you will
be voting on election day. You need
to go to your assigned polling place.
This can usually be found on your
voter registration card.
• Once you are at your polling place,
you may or may not be asked to show
identification (I.D.). Different states
have different rules.
IMAGE: A polling place where
people are voting by writing on
paper ballots. All we can see is
the back of the stands they are
using and their legs.
If your polling place is
not accessible…
• You should contact your STATE’S
Secretary of State. This person
handles state business and has a
whole office of people. They work
for your state government. They are
responsible for the voting process
in your state.
IMAGE: A flag, hat,
balloons, streamers,
and vote button. It is very
patriotic.
Voting at the Polls
• Once you check in, you will be
handed a ballot or shown to a
VOTING booth.
• If you are handed a ballot,
follow the directions to fill it out.
• If you are shown into a booth,
you may be voting electronically.
IMAGE: A hand touching a
button on the screen of an
electronic voting machine.
Electronic Voting Machines
• If you vote electronically, you will be
asked to either touch a screen or pull
a lever after looking at each
candidate.
• Electronic voting machines are not all
the same. It is important to follow the
directions or ask for help to make sure
your vote is counted.
• There are volunteers to help you at
each voting place, but YOU make the
choices.
IMAGE: A hand is touching a big
button on an electronic voting
machine.
Mail-In or Absentee Ballot
• Mail-in or absentee ballots have to
be requested ahead of time. Each
state has different rules about this
so always check with your county
clerk if you want to vote that way.
• Once you get your ballot, you will
need to mark a box next to your
choice. You will then mail it to the
address given. Make sure you
mail it in by the date listed on the
ballot.
IMAGE: A hand filling out a
paper ballot.
Mail-In or Absentee Ballot
• It is ok to have someone help you fill out your
ballot. The person who helps you may have to
sign his/her name on the ballot saying that
he/she helped you.
• If you go to school away from where you
permanently live, it’s a good idea to get an
absentee ballot so you can still vote away from
home.
Knowing the Candidates
and the Issues
• You can find out more about
each candidate by visiting
his/her website, reading the
op-ed column in the
newspapers, or going to town
forums.
• Most states have a nonpartisan (not in favor of either
side) voter’s guide that talks
about the issues on the ballot.
IMAGE: A politician standing at
a podium and speaking with his
hand in the air.
See You At The Polls!
IMAGE: A sign that reads: “Feel the power of the
disability Vote.” Stars surround the words.
For more information, or to
become a member, contact us:
National Youth Leadership
Network (NYLN)
www.nyln.org
1-866-480-6565