| Hello! Today marks the official start of Disability Voting Rights Week, a national cross-disability, cross-movement week of action. Despite the size and power of our voting bloc, there is still a turnout gap between disabled and nondisabled voters. A study of the 2022 midterm elections by Rutgers University and the U.S. Election Assistance Commission found that if people with disabilities voted at the same rate as their nondisabled peers, there’d be 2.0 million more voters. Inaccessible polling places, laws criminalizing voter assistance, limited access to accessible transportation, restrictive guardianship laws, and ableism across the political process prevent many people with disabilities from accessing their right to vote. It is past time for every election to be fully accessible to every voter, and for every community to have elected officials who meaningfully engage with and fight for their disabled constituents. This week, we will register and educate voters, advocate for accessible elections, and take time to celebrate the collective power of our community. | 