By Chris Klein, PRC-Saltillo Ambassador
It was 1992. I was 19 years old and a freshman at Hope College. This was the first time I was able to vote, and I was excited about it. This was my opportunity to get my voice heard and I wasn’t going to pass that up. I was living in Holland, Michigan, so I had to figure out how to register to vote because I was an Illinois resident. I was able to register in the state of Michigan with my college identification card. This was important because I knew I wouldn’t be able to vote until I was registered with a state.
The first time I voted must have been interesting for the election poll workers. I came with the disability director from Hope, who was legally blind, to help me navigate through this voting process. We were laughing as we walked over just wondering what they would do. Louise had the ballot memorized, so she was comfortable going with me to help me. She was well known throughout Holland, and she knew how to advocate if we needed it. To our surprise, they allowed her to help me fill out the ballot. She started her finger at the top and I would tap her knee with my foot when I wanted to vote for that candidate. This was my first experience of voting, and it helped me to understand I had a voice.
After graduating from college, I decided to stay and live in Holland, so I have voted in person about 99% of the time. Most of the time I do have somebody with me to help me vote. I use my AAC device to tell them who I want to vote for, but I allow them to read it off my device’s display. I don’t hit the speak button so that nobody can hear my selection. When I check in the election poll workers must go through a list of questions to make sure I am comfortable having whoever I have with me help me. This is to make sure I am comfortable with the person helping me, and they aren’t influencing my vote in any direction. Your vote is private, so they want to make sure it stays that way.
I have gone to the polling place a couple of times by myself. I was comfortable having the poll worker help me check in, and then help me to vote. This is when my AAC device is vital because they don’t know me, and my device helps them to understand my needs and how they need to help me. I can do this because I can ride my wheelchair to my polling place, so if I couldn’t do that, I would have somebody with me.
I have only voted absentee once. It was 2020, and the pandemic was happening. While it was a good way to vote that year, I like going to the polls and voting in person. There is something special about going to the polling location and casting your vote. If voting absentee is easier for you, do it! Let your voice be heard by casting your vote!
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Communicators In Action - vote, ballot, Klein, voice