Voter Registration and Transition Planning

What Schools Need to Know

Under a new law, educators in New Hampshire will need to discuss voter registration as an appropriate community living or citizenship training goal with every student 17 years of age or older, who has an IEP or has a section 504 plan. Students with disabilities must be informed about how to register to vote. Decisions about how voter registration will be accomplished must be included in each eligible student’s IEP or Section 504 Plan.

What does this mean for IEP team and Section  504 Plan meetings?

When teams meet to review or develop an IEP or 504 plan, they should talk about voting as an aspect of community participation and post-secondary school life. They should inform students about how to register to vote. If students require accommodations or support to register, the team should develop a plan for the student to register to vote.

Examples:

• If a student requires assistance to complete the voter registration form, their team might provide a quiet space and make a staff member available to help the student complete the form.
• If a student is working with a staff member to access facilities and programs in the community, the team could include visiting the town clerk’s office to register to vote as a short-term goal in the student’s plan.

We are here to help. Educators can reach out to DRC-NH free of charge if they have questions about how to discuss voter registration or voting rights for students with disabilities.

Voting Rights for People with Disabilities (The Basics)

People with disabilities, including students 18 years old and older, have the right to vote privately and independently. They have the right to an accessible polling location and accessible voting system. They also have the right to get help with voting from a person of their choosing.

Minimum Requirements to Register to Vote in New Hampshire:

• Be a U.S. Citizen;
• Be 18 years old on or before the date of the election;
• Reside in the town or ward where you seek to vote; and
• Proof of your identity, age, citizenship, and residence.
• You can register at your city or town clerk’s office up to 10 days before the election.
• You can also register on election day at your polling location.

Your Voting Rights at a Glance:

The rights of voters with disabilities are protected under federal law. These include:

• The right to vote privately and independently.
• The right to vote in a polling place that is accessible and free of physical barriers.
• The right to vote using an accessible voting machine to mark your ballot.
• The right to get help with voting from a person of your choice except your employer or union representative. Individuals under guardianship do not lose their right to vote.

Download Our Flyer on Voter Registration & Transition Planning