Register to Vote

Your Vote Matters

Are you looking for an efficient, accessible a way to change systems without making a volunteer commitment? Vote.

You speak for yourself
Voting is a great way to practice self-determination.

You ensure that people with disabilities and their families choose decision-makers.
Big groups of people who vote gain power and influence. Approximately ninety-three thousand people in Colorado have intellectual and developmental disabilities. Think about how many family members and friends they have. Now imagine that all those people in that group who are eligible to vote actually did vote. Your vote determines who makes decisions about the things that matter to you every day.

You guide who receives services and what services are available.
In the Council’s 2021 survey of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, nearly half expressed that increasing available services and supports should be the top Council advocacy priority. If you agree, don’t forget, your vote influences who makes budget decisions and receives messages from advocates.

You shape the future of Social Security.
People with intellectual and developmental disabilities make up about 14 percent of the 13M working-age adults who receive Supplemental Security Income or Social Security Disability Insurance (Livermore, Bardos, and Katz Social Security Bulletin, Vol. 77 No. 1, 2017). Social Security contributes to economic and personal security of people with developmental disabilities. If that matters to you, express it through your vote.

You serve the interests of people you love who cannot vote.
If you care about people who are ineligible to vote you can serve their interests when you cast your ballot.

You influence how federal money is spent in Colorado.
According to the US Census, in 2014 federal funds accounted for more than 29 percent of Colorado’s revenue. Based on the state population at the time that is about $1,341 per capita. Your vote influences how the federal money that comes to Colorado is spent.

You provide access to health care.
The people you vote for make financial and policy decision about health care. Do you live in a place without a hospital? If it matters to you, vote. Do you have opinions about insurance companies and what the cover? Vote. Do you or someone in your family have unmet health care needs? Vote.

You affect jobs and workforce policy.
Thirty percent of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who responded to the Council’s 2021 survey told us they wanted more employment opportunity. Your vote affects economic and workforce policy.

You determine educational opportunity in Colorado.
Voters decide who serves on Colorado school boards. Your vote influences county, state, and even federal education budgets and policies.

You practice civic engagement.
Your vote influences your local community. Do you like parks? Is your trash collection spotty? Do you want a well-funded library? The amenities in your community depend on your vote. Voting is an act of civic engagement.

You increase access to public transportation.
Eleven percent of those who responded to the Council’s 2021 survey said their most important unmet need was public transportation. If you need public transit, say so with your vote.

You make choices about natural resources and the environment.
Colorado is full of natural beauty. Oil and gas contribute to our economy. If you have opinions about the use of natural resources, energy, or the environment, vote.

You exercise your right and honor the people who fought for you to have it.
People have given their lives for the right to vote. Over generations women and people of color have advocated for the right to vote. When you vote you honor those who worked to make it possible.
You define the work that future generations of people with disabilities and families face.
The people with disabilities and families who came before us made progress. That progress is our inheritance. The policies and investments we vote for will be our legacy to the next generation. Let’s work hard so that things are better for them.

Learn more about voting or register to vote today!