For Albany-based resident and voter‐advocate Eleanor Beidatsch, serious hurdles stand between her and her ability to exercise her right to vote. Her physical disability, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, complicates issues for her. We watch her navigate the voting process in her new power wheelchair. A social carer assists her to complete her ballot paper. This sometimes stomach-churning odyssey underscores the plight disabled Americans face at the polls this Election Day.
Moreover, in Australia, as many as 21.4 percent of the population—or about 5.5 million Australians—experience some kind of disability. This is why a coalition of 75 organizations and disability advocates are calling on the Department of Justice to reject current voting provisions as inadequate. They call them “archaic and offensive.” They claim that these provisions are incompatible with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
Once, during a recent voting session in Albany, Beidatsch sat at a polling booth with her carer, she was snapped by photographers. When she got close to the polling location, she received vote- or how-to-vote cards. However, she told us that postal voting is especially difficult for her because she cannot write on paper.
The Experience of Voting with a Disability
Beidatsch’s voting experience is not isolated. It’s why so many people with disabilities are still anxious about how they’ll be able to vote. The reality is that polling places can be confusing and intimidating. Consequently, what ought to be a straightforward civic responsibility is all too frequently an overwhelming obstacle for millions of citizens.
“Being there was anxiety-inducing for me, I hyper-focused on getting it over with so I could leave.” – Gabe
Gabe, another voter with disabilities, expressed similar feelings about the emotional burden that comes with voting. He reflected on the social interactions and navigation challenges that often accompany the process, stating, “The most difficult aspect of voting was the social interaction and navigation.”
For people like Gabe, when anxiety is at its peak, anxiety stops them from doing the simplest things like saying their name. Most have to resort to taking an aide or associate with them to help them communicate to poll workers.
Advocacy for Accessible Voting
She is passionate about making voting accessible so that all Americans can safely and freely participate in the democratic process without intimidation or inconvenience. Environmental and good government advocacy groups, including American Rivers, Democracy Forward, and the Environmental Integrity Project, have been advocating for this victory. They suggest that the current voting provisions do not address the needs of those voters.
Darryl Steff, CEO of Down Syndrome Australia, voiced his disappointment regarding the lack of progress in making voting more accessible:
“It is extremely disappointing that despite significant advocacy … discriminatory laws are still in place.”
This sentiment resonates deeply within the disability community as they continue to fight for their rights to participate in democracy fully.
Given these issues, the independent Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) recently released its vision for reform. Additionally, for the 2025 primary and general elections, they will raise the percentage of fully accessible polling places by 20 percent.
“For 2025, the increase of 20 percent for fully accessible polling places is something we’re very proud to be able to offer.” – AEC spokesperson
Taken together, this initiative represents big progress. There are still questions and worry about whether these changes will go far enough to meet the wide-ranging needs of all voters.
The Future of Voting Accessibility
Australia is making exciting progress toward more inclusive voting practices. In this important endeavor, advocates are calling on policymakers to recognize the diverse and specific needs of voters with disabilities. The dense, omnipresent background of Australian federal elections can hinder attempts to instate a fully inclusive landscape.
“But we know that every voter is unique, and the widespread nature of Australian federal elections unfortunately means that our most convenient offerings suit the requirements of [only] some voters.” – AEC spokesperson
The electoral landscape is always moving. For people like Eleanor Beidatsch, many hurdles remain when they attempt to engage in the democratic process. The call for comprehensive reforms aims to ensure that all Australians can exercise their right to vote comfortably and confidently.
