Advocates: Disabled Americans Being Stripped Of Voting Rights Because Of Archaic Laws
Americans who have appointed guardians automatically lose their voting rights in some states because of "mental incompetency." Advocates say the laws are based on an outdated understanding of the abilities of disabled people.
Reveal:
Disabled And Disenfranchised: Families Fight To Restore Voting Rights
Across the country, thousands of people with appointed guardians routinely lose the right to vote. More than 7,300 lost the right to vote due to “mental incompetence” between 2012 and 2014 alone, according to federal survey data collected from 33 states by the Election Assistance Commision. Ten states automatically ban anyone declared mentally incompetent from voting. Among them is Missouri, which restricted more voters than any other state, rescinding the rights of close to 2,000 people for mental incompetence in those election years. (Walter, 10/31)
