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This article is directed toward people who identify as, or have been labeled as having, mental illness and/or neuro-biological brain disorders.

It's the year 2002, an Election Year, and WE have the right to Vote! We have the right and the responsibility to vote: for or against a candidate, issue, policy, ordinance or other political agenda in the United States of America. The purpose of this article is to increase the participation of all people who are US citizens in the voter registration process, helping others get registered to vote and voting, who are 18 years and older, who identify as, or have been labeled as, having mental illness and neurobiological brain disorders.

In the words of the Mental Health Voter Empowerment Project, "the Antidote to Stigma and Discrimination now has a Name…the Vote". Whether you have never voted, or you have always voted, each time can be a great sense of participation and accomplishment.

Here are some helpful guidelines to assist you.

Best wishes and Have Fun!!

1. Where do I register to vote? In some states you can register to vote online! Please go to http://www.fec.gov/votregis/vr.htm and click on your state. You may also obtain voter registration forms from your state Protection and Advocacy, Registrar of Voters, Election Commission, Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, State Election Board, and Mental Health Service Provider to name a few. Learn the laws of your state so you can become properly registered.

2. When do I register to vote? TODAY!! Registering early will allow you to vote in primaries. Each time you move you must re-register in order to vote. You may need to have a picture ID so be prepared and obtain one right away.

3. Will it be difficult to use the voting booth? There are different kinds of voting booths that may be easy to use once you become familiar with them.

Have a field trip to the election office in advance with a demonstration on how to vote.
Ask the election board or League of Women voters to attend a community gathering so people may practice and become familiar with the voting equipment.

4. Who should I vote for? Become educated about the different candidates, party lines, and issues that will affect you by:

Setting up town meetings and inviting the candidates to speak
Have a list of questions to ask the candidates reflecting your concerns i.e.: housing, transportation, schools, mental health services, medical coverage, and social security, etc.
Invite the League of Women Voters (or another reputable organization) to conduct a presentation(s)
Include people with and without disabilities, service providers, family members, educators, and medical personnel to participate and make sure the site is accessible.

5. Accessible Voting Sites Know where your voting precinct is before Election Day and how to get to the site. One option is working with local election officials in advance for sites that are more likely to be accessible for people with disabilities i.e.: newer buildings, Independent Living Centers, YWCA's, Hospitals, libraries, Police or Fire Stations. Also make sure the site is accessible by public transportation and arrange for good signage to indicate where people should go when they reach the site. There are an estimated 56 million Americans with disabilities: let's encourage election officials to create voting sites accessible for all voters.

6. Voting Voting on Election Day inside the booth by yourself You can invite someone you want to go into the booth with you while you vote, of YOUR choosing. The only people, who may not go into the booth with you, are your employer and union representative.Absentee Ballots: contact your election or registrar of voters office

RESOURCES for voting activity assistance:

League of Women voters: http://www.smartvoter.org
National Consumer Supporter Technical Assistance Center at the NMHA: consumerta@nmha.org
MHANYS (Mental Health Association in New York State), Joseph A. Glazer, Esq., President/CEO, Phone: (518) 434-0439 ext. 20, mhapres@mhanys.org
NMHA's Voter Empowerment Project: Ellen Alderton, ealderton@nmha.org, 703/837-4792
The American Association of People with Disabilities: http://www.aapd.com and click on Disability Vote Project
Lorre Leon Mendelson: lorreleon@aol.com