Disability Rights: And the result of the Nov 6, 2007 NJ Ballot question # 4 is …

Well, the good news is : 

Question # 4- NJ Voting Rights – Ballot Issue 

NJ Precincts             

6210/6289 

YES                                          NO

740,158                        501,860                  

60%                                           40%                                                   

http://elections.nj.com/dynamic/files/elections/2007/by_county/NJ_Question_1106.html?SITE=NJNEWELN&SECTION=POLITICS 

Though this tally concerns me some because the NJ voter approval rate for this amendment was only 60 %. I had hoped for a higher percentage, perhaps 80 % to remove the inappropriate references in our NJ state constitution regarding people with disabilities as “idiots” and “insane”.  

Lets revisit the ballot question: 

CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT CONCERNING THE RIGHT TO VOTE FOR CERTAIN PERSONS
Shall the amendment of Article II, Section I, paragraph 6 of the Constitution, agreed to by the Legislature, revising the current constitutional language concerning denial of the right to vote by deleting the phrase “idiot or insane person” and providing instead that a “person who has been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting” shall not enjoy the right of suffrage, be adopted?

There will be an Interpretive Statement underneath that will read:
Approval of this amendment concerning the denial of the right to vote would delete the phrase “idiot or insane person” and replace that phrase with “person who has been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting” in describing those persons who shall be denied the right to vote. The phrase “idiot or insane person” is outdated, vague, offensive to many, and may be subject to misinterpretation. This constitutional amendment acknowledges that individuals with cognitive or emotional disabilities may otherwise be capable of making decisions in the voting booth and that their right of self-determination should be respected and protected in this regard. The amendment only denies the right of suffrage ( voting privaledge) to those individuals determined by a court, on a case-by-case basis, to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting. 

resource : http://www.arcnj.org/html/ballot_question.html

Lets analyze this particular NJ voting outcome. Perhaps the 40 % who voted NO ;

–          did not fully understand the question and its purpose?

–          believe that people with disabilities should be referred to as “idiots and insane”?

–          thought that people with disabilities who were deemed not to have the capacity to understand the act to vote would get the right to vote?

–          believe that all people with disabilities “ who are labeled as ‘idiots and insane” should not be able to vote?

–          this is a big stretch but … Maybe some thought that those with disabilities who do not have the capacity to understand should have the right to vote ? 

I wonder what thoughts supported and influenced 40 % to vote NO?

The question clearly states that the specific words “idiot and insane” were going to be replaced by “ person who has been adjudicated by a court of competent jurisdiction to lack the capacity to understand the act of voting” in describing those persons who shall be denied the right to vote.” That is it ! This question was NOT asking for a change in voting rights. It was only addressing a change in descriptive words.

Now, in my opinion, I had hoped for a stronger support base for people with disabilities – ie developmentally disabled, mentally ill, brain injured etc. We need to remove the words “idiot and insane” since it is the right thing to do.  They should be referred to as people with disabilities instead.

Sadly, I received 2 comments on my blog stating that the words     ” idiots and insane” were appropriate and they should not be allowed to vote either. Well this is my blog, I control its content. Both negative comments were quickly disallowed and deleted.

Attention Disability and Special Needs Advocates–( this includes me as well)  there is much more work to be done.  We need to keep improving disability awareness/sensitivity and increasing support for people with various types of disabilities.

          Thank goodness, due to the majority vote, those offensive words will be taken out of our NJ Constitution.

THANK YOU NJ Voters!   

Tags: advocates, disability awareness, New Jersey, sensitivity, Special Needs