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Senate adopts $340 billion budget blueprint for Trump's agenda after marathon vote; MI keeps EV charging plans on track despite federal cuts; Shore power bill would improve WA air quality, cut emissions; Report: Methane mitigation industry grows in LA, nationwide.

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Trump wants to eliminate local governance in Washington, D.C., election denier Kash Patel is confirmed as FBI director, and federal cuts to the World Trade Center Health Program hurt ailing first responders.

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The Taos County Sheriff says he won't conduct raids or round ups of immigrants, New Hampshire worries a dearth of charging stations will force tourists driving EVs to pick another vacation destination, and Southern states improve education with workarounds.

Voting Options for Iowans with Disabilities

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Wednesday, July 18, 2018   

DES MOINES, Iowa – One way people stay active in their community is by voting, and as the November midterm election approaches, advocates for Iowans with disabilities say they're no exception. They also have a number of ways to cast a ballot.

When peopple with disabilities don't vote in elections, said Rik Shannon, public-policy manager for the Iowa Developmental and Disabilities Council, it's often because they lack information about the candidates or the election process, making them feel less confident or competent about their selections. Another reason, Shannon said, is the hassle of traveling to a polling place.

"One of things that we have found in studies," he said, "is that the voter registration rate of people with disabilities, when compared to the general population, is about 2.2 percent lower."

Shannon said Iowa offers several voting alternatives including absentee balloting, early voting and curbside voting - but getting registered to vote is the first step. National Disability Voter Registration Week continues through this Friday.

Estimates show more than 35 million individuals with disabilities nationwide are eligible to vote, including 315,000 in Iowa. This year's state ballot promises to be lengthy, with Iowans choosing a new governor, U.S. House members, 25 state senators and all 100 state representatives.

In addition, Iowa lawmakers passed new legislation that Shannon wants those with disabilities to know about.

"In Iowa, we've had a change this year. We added a voter identification law," he said. "[We're] helping people learn more about the law, what it means for them, and trying to prepare them once they go to the polling place, and what they can expect with those changes in Iowa law."

People who don't have a driver's license or passport can get a state-issued voter ID card. The law won't take effect until 2019. This year's "soft" rollout means voters without the card will be asked to sign an affidavit verifying their identify.

More information is online at aapd.com, and the Iowa Secretary of State's voter ID information is at sos.iowa.gov.


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