[NFBWATlk] FW: “I never knew that I could vote while I was in jail.”

Wed Dec 16 18:06:09 UTC 2020

The below e-mail describes DRW’s work with a blind military veteran.

From: Mark Stroh, Disability Rights Washington <info at dr-wa.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 16, 2020 9:30 AM

DRW helped Jordan update his voter registration and facilitated access to an audio Voters Pamphlet through the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library
[DRW logo with a blue tree outline and Disability Rights Washington written in light and dark blue.]

“DRW took the ball and carried it and carried it again with no hope of recognition for what they did for me.” – Jordan Landry

[Photo of Jordan wearing glasses.]

Image: Image of Jordan Landry, a man wearing glasses.
[Donate Now]

Jordan Landry, a blind US military veteran, has spent 21 months in jail at the King County Correctional Facility with no conviction, awaiting trial. For four months, Jordan was placed in solitary confinement in order to protect him from other inmates.

“I had no communication with other inmates. I was locked in a room 23 hours a day, sometimes 24 with no writing, no art supplies, no reading materials because I couldn't read, and I couldn't see anything.” Jordan contacted DRW. “They went to work for me right away. I told them the issues that I was having and within six days all of those issues were addressed.” DRW Attorney, Ethan helped Jordan access the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library.

Then Jordan, who was awaiting trial and had never been convicted of a felony, met DRW’s Public Policy Director, Darya, who explained that people in jail are eligible to vote as long they are not under the supervision of the Department of Corrections and meet other eligibility criteria. “I never knew that I could vote while I was in jail.”

DRW helped Jordan update his voter registration and facilitated access to an audio Voters Pamphlet through the Washington Talking Book and Braille Library. “After my first meeting with DRW, Ethan and Darya asked if I would be interested in voting on an AVU [Accessible Voting Unit] that is accessible to someone with my disabilities. Not only can I vote, but I can vote with the same dignity and privacy that any other citizen would have. It is important for people with disabilities to have access to vote because your vote is your voice. My vote counted just as much as the vote of the governor of the state.”
[Photo of Jordan using an accessible voting unit with King County Elections staff assisting him.]

Image: Jordan learns how to use an Accessible Voting Unit from a King County Elections staff, allowing him to later vote with privacy and dignity.

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Jordan’s work had only begun. He now advocates for voting rights in jail.

Darya shares, “Jordan is passing the baton. He is a strong advocate within the jail to address how to vote. He experiences the barriers first-hand and has become a critical partner for DRW in developing solutions.”  Even while he remains in jail, Jordan now serves as a member of the King County Elections Disability Advisory Committee.

Jordan emphasizes, “I did not take my privilege lightly. I rallied people in jail to vote.  DRW was behind me all the way and pushing to get the word out to inmates that they can vote. In jail, you have so many privileges taken away. Voting gives you hope that you can still be a part of society, you can still participate and have your voice heard, hope that you still matter.”

Jordan’s story is one of many as DRW has focused on systemic changes to improve access to voting. People in King County jails now have more information about how to vote. DRW is continuing to improve access to voting in jail across Washington.

DRW works to elevate issues important to people with disabilities and to facilitate conversations with candidates that can inform our vote. DRW hosted two candidate forums in 2019 and 2020, in partnership with a coalition of disability advocacy organizations, for candidates for Seattle City Council and statewide positions

Join Jordan, Ethan, Darya, and DRW to continue the fight for voting rights for people with disabilities.

[Donate Now]

Hear Jordan tell his story in our Vote for Access series.<https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/oZT1C-8NKsWHlAiWATd-7FWE9pOId5O-kCk6HYFdxkCccr0n3sk-3OLaYwA3XqBJ740d6dTlaMUTL1jPG4ADz5Dr9dALcX4xG2iYzvdm2vUpF1iejT3LYmO2OPXW_Tvm2jt3vDi3V92HxeFB_KOs8yPQMkQ5AGdHXsGmTzEyog4Uq9Gwqav9KSkawgyzdGXezXWAT_2MlHpwEFVyaca4zjKkoKIH1PIfGOGspZqB126fswCS6oj-jL9y3cBjspyktTeqok9VVogd8JOHaPKO1M8vJXJ4ERnKc7PgknanXmM/37r/eY--6ChvTK6iWehAWeUZ2A/h3/uYKLm9IW44s7EGR5MlWJk5fW1u9qoa7OKw6SJceulQk>

The full series can be viewed here<https://u1584542.ct.sendgrid.net/ss/c/atcYNHk4Eh2YdGnwBh-YDEJQvUzgE-R8kjMUuhRWklxz2A7JNya4uBo8tBJSVoTwCzqkdhB95Myqf9Ar2K8Wkn1UpxgagvmByTJrjMAgWMY2hnBVFgypxXGMGsE5SsXmxTfvOieoHT8ZHuJcuocmaNm_IniDVoFPp3cW_pdnPy5Yzob0ZNlVv6AKM2sKsZk3br0_BAFUW5Aulxt3deFJAFpXAZ_xgivpf_mxr724YitsmFhOtw9MeS5FzEXzimWqhkZp74do-A71yHGcmqwtJ-Fw72nbOaLOp4m_BaIYqgqV2ek9X0rsGJYfYAiRUblCd8XHfLXPUPum6DZzoQT2bA/37r/eY--6ChvTK6iWehAWeUZ2A/h4/ZSxmk3HXAA-Pnnm1tnWootOhFhRmGv5lorJqTiAmtxU>.

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