Two Anchorage events offer disability community hands-on voter education

Two events in late July and mid-August will give Anchorage-area residents with disabilities concrete tools for the upcoming election, including a candidate-comparison tool, voting accommodations information, and a chance to practice casting a ballot.

AADD hosts the first event July 30 via Zoom. The virtual session will introduce participants to the Ballot Builder from Alaskans for Better Elections, which lets users create a customized ballot they can print and bring to the polls, and will feature voting accommodations information from the Disability Law Center. The Zoom link is https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83934652893?pwd=BFjPi2fMzFtORM4JgSfEPKMIzZuc5q.1 (Password: AADD).

On Tuesday, Aug. 11, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., AADD and Special Olympics will host an in-person event at the Special Olympics building in Anchorage. It includes a mock election and absentee-by-mail sign-up, with additional support from The Arc of Anchorage, Hope Community Resources, and Cindy & Vic's. The event will also feature pizza and a brief dance party. Both events are open to people with disabilities, the developmental disabilities workforce, and the broader community. The Governor's Council on Disabilities and Special Education shared the announcement Tuesday.