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Planning & Policy Activities > Annual Disability Polls

2008 Indiana Disability Poll: Focus on Voting

2008 Indiana Disability Poll: Focus on Voting and Civic Participation

The findings of the 2008 Disability Poll highlight voting practices and the degree of civic engagement of 367 respondents from the disability community. The disability community sample includes people with disabilities (208), their family members or guardians (76), and advocates (83). The survey was available from November 2007 to June 2008. People responded via an Internet survey or on paper survey forms.

The Disability Community is a Strong Voting Block

  • 90% of the disability community sample is registered to vote.
  • 88% of individuals with disabilities have a government-issued picture ID, and very few were challenged when they went to vote (8%).
  • Nearly 80% of the disability community sample voted in the last election and/or primaries, including 8 out of 10 individuals with disabilities. However, when household incomes were higher than $50,000, more than 90% voted.
  • 7 out of 10 individuals with disabilities voted at their precinct's polling place. Very few (13%) voted absentee. Only 10% said they were not interested in voting.

Top Barriers to Civic Participation

  1. Work Schedules
  2. Lack of transportation, especially people with lower incomes
  3. Physical barriers
  4. Not feeling welcome to participate
  5. Not knowing how to begin, especially people with lower incomes

Download the Summary Report for the 2008 Indiana Disability Poll

PDF Version or  Word Version

 

Voting and Civic Participation Resources

Here are some resources on voting and civic participation:

The Annual Indiana Disability Poll

The annual Disability Poll is a joint project of the Center for Planning and Policy Studies, the Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities, and Indiana Protection and Advocacy Services. Each year, a topic of interest to the disability community is selected, and then an online survey is developed.

Contact Us

Jeffrey Chait
Center for Planning and Policy Studies
Indiana Institute on Disability and Community

(812) 855-6508
cpps@indiana.edu