Every Vote Counts!
November 6 was an important day for Rachel Maclay. On that afternoon, the first-time voter cast the 980th ballot at her Upper Uwchlan polling place for the 2018 United States midterm election.
Rachel, who is 23, has been exposed to election campaigns and the voting process for most of her life because of her family's interest and involvement in local politics. She also passionate about political issues, including the Medicaid waiver.
Sharon O'Shaughnessy, Rachel's mother, said her daughter's strong feelings are in part a result of spending many years on the waiting list to receive a waiver. "It's very important to her, and she wanted to have a voice during this election," O'Shaughnessy said. "But I wasn't even sure if Rachel would be allowed to vote."
Fortunately,
Pennsylvania
is one of eleven states that has no voting competence laws to impede the right of individuals with intellectual disability to exercise their right to vote. O'Shaughnessy said she was allowed to assist her daughter in the voting booth. The two women, pictured above, proudly showed off the stickers they received after voting.
For more voting rights information,
click for voter guide
in plain language, from Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law and other advocates.
