1. Eastern Iowa Autism Spectrum Voters Guide:
Opening up the Voting Process to those on the
Autism Spectrum

2. OPENING UP THE VOTING PROCESS
TO THOSE ON THE AUTISM SPECTRUM
Who Can Vote in Iowa?
Register to Vote In Iowa
Get the Facts
The Candidates
Top Issues in the News
Autism Resources
Important Terms
Acknowledgements
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Table of Contents
SEPT 29 TO NOV 7
In-person absentee voting available
OCT 29
Voter registration deadline
(via mail or on the web -Iowa- DOT)
NOV 4
Application deadline to receive mail ballot
NOV 8
Election Day
Same day voter registration at the polls
IMPORTANT DATES:

3. Only Registered Voters Can Vote
You can register to vote if:
- You are a citizen of the United States
- You are a resident of Iowa
- You are at least 17 1/2 years old (must be 18 to vote)
You can not register:
-If you are a convicted felon (and your voting rights have not been restored)-If you claim the right to vote in any
other place
-If a court has determined you are “mentally incompetent to vote”
Having ASD or a court –appointed guardian doesn't automatically take away your right to vote
Not sure if you have registered or your registration is up to date?
-Look up your registration status—Iowa Secretary of State’s Look up Page:
https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterreg/regtovote/search.aspx
-Call: 1-866-OUR-VOTE
- Look up registration status— League of Women Voters : http://www.vote411.org/
Voting in Iowa: 3 Steps
1) Register 2) Get the Facts 3) Vote
Who Can Vote in Iowa?
P A G E 3

4. Register to vote in Iowa:
Voter Registration by Mail: to register by mail, fill out an
Iowa voter registration application and send it to your county
auditor. A list of county auditors by county can be found via the
following link: https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/auditors/
auditorslist.html
Voter Registration online: to register to vote online you will
need the to reference your drivers license or state ID number.
An Iowa registered voter CAN NOT vote online at this time.
See Link for details on how to register online through the Iowa
Department of Transportation and video tutorial: https://
sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/voterregistration.html
Download and print Iowa Voter
registration applications easily
from one of these websites:
Iowa Secretary of State:
https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/
voterinformation/
voterregistration.html
Iowa Election Center:
https://www.vote.org/state/iowa/
League of Women Voters of Iowa:
http://www.lwvia.org/voting-in-iowa
http://www.vote411.org/
Rock the Vote Iowa Elections:
http://www.rockthevote.com/get-
informed/elections/state/iowa.html?
referrer=https://www.google.com/
Election Day Registration
Registering at the Polls on Election Day– November 8, 2016
-Voters will need to show proof of identification and residency. ID
must have a expiration date and can not be expired.
-If photo ID does not include current address, must show proof of
residency with another document that shows voter’s name and
address in precinct.
-If voter does not have documents to prove identity or residency,
the voter may have another registered voter in the same precinct
attest to the voter’s identity and residency.
-For more details see Iowa Secretary of State’s website:
https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/edr.html
P A G E 4
Registering to Vote in Iowa
IOWA STUDENT
VOTING GUIDE
http://campusvote
project.org/iowa/
Forms of Photo ID
Iowa driver’s license
State of Iowa ID
US Passport
US Employer or Military Card
Iowa Student ID
Out of state driver’s license
Out of state—State ID
Proof of Residency Documents
Residential lease
Property tax statement
Utility bill
Bank statement
Paycheck
Government check
Other government documents

5. Locate your Polling Place
When you register to vote, you may receive a voter registration card
which will have the name and address of your polling place. Specific links
to assist in determining your precinct polling location are found below
under Poll Location.
The Candidates: Good sources for information on the candidates
can be found via the internet, social media, television, radio, and news-
papers. You can also communicate with candidates about the issues
that you find important. For tips on how to communicate with the candi-
dates and legislators– See ID Action Advocacy Toolkit:
http://www.idaction.org/newsletters/iowa-advocacy-connection/iowa-
advocacy-connection-2015-issue-4/.
The Issues: Use mail, email, social media to let the candidates and
community members know your thoughts, ideas and perspectives. Find
out about the candidates and the issues.
Staying informed can often seem to be a monumental task. The Eastern
Iowa Voters Manual team realizes this can be challenging and has com-
plied a list resources that report on the top issues concerning the Autism
Spectrum community and current topics (see pages 4, 5 and 6 of this manual).
Find out About the Candidates The following resources help voters compare
candidates on the issues. Some allow you to print or email notes and information about the
candidate that you can take to the polls on paper or your electronic device. Each resource
shares disclosures.
Des Moines Register:
http://data.desmoinesregister.com/compare-candidates/
ISIDEWITH.COM:
https://www.isidewith.com/
Head Count: Has a list of over 18 sites, APPS, and social media resources that compare
the candidates: https://www.headcount.org/issues-and-candidates/
League of Women Voters: http://www.vote411.org/ballot
ProCon.org:
http://2016election.procon.org/view.source-summary-chart.php
Project Vote Smart: http://votesmart.org/
US Elections:
http://www.uselections.com/ia/ia.htm
Vote IA
http://vote-ia.org/Election.aspx?State=IA&Election=IA20161108GA
P A G E 5
Find your Precinct Polling
Place
https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/
voterreg/pollingplace/
search.aspx
General Elections Nov 8:
Polls are open from 7am-9pm
statewide
For all other elections contact
county auditor.
Link to find your county auditor's
office in the Iowa & for further ques-
tions on polling location and satel-
lite voting See Link:
https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/
auditors/auditorslist.html
The Candidates
Get the Facts
“Autism Spectrum
Issues Matter to ME
and I ....”
Poll Location

6. Listed below are topics that have been in the news headlines related to Autism Spectrum issues that voters can find out more
about and explore. The ASD Voters Manual team has also put together a list of resources where you can look up the topics that
are important to you as a voter (see Page 5 & 6 of this manual ).
P A G E 6
Top Issues in the News: Autism Spectrum
and Developmental Disabilities
Iowa’s Strategic Plan (2016-2021): To Improve
Services and Supports for Individuals with Autism
Spectrum Disorder and their Families
Activities outlined in the Plan:
-Increasing ASD Awareness
-Increase access to high quality services throughout
the lifespan
-Increase timely access to services
-Support for individuals on the ASD spectrum, their
families and caregivers
For more information on this plan see the
Regional Autism Assistance Program’s Website
(click on Expert Panel)
http://www.chsciowa.org/regional-autism
-assistance-program.asp
Autism Spectrum Issues in the News
-Advocacy and Self—Advocacy
-Access to Healthcare/Medical Insurance Coverage
-Adult Issues— Overall huge gaps in service options
-Affordable/Accessible Housing
- Increase Employment Opportunities
-Access to Post-Secondary Education
-Community Integration
-Peer Mentors
-Diversity
-Under-representation of people of color for
evaluation, treatment, support & in research
-Education
-Access reasonable accommodations
-Transition Planning
-Inclusion
-Financial
-ABLE account
-Access to Medicaid Waivers (waitlist)
-Limited Insurance Coverage
-Social Security
-Increased need for access to screening/diagnosis &
therapies/treatment/services
- Legal Protections
-Mental Health support for individuals on the Autism
Spectrum
-Research
- Overlapping & more emphasis needed on treat-
ments, therapies and supports
-Safety
-Bullying
-Safe practices when addressing challenging be-
haviors
-Training for Law-Enforcement/First Responders
-Wandering
-Support for parents, families and caregivers
-Use of Evidenced Base Practices
Iowa Autism Council
This group offers advice, consultation and
recommendations to the governor and legislators.
For More information on the Iowa Autism Council see the
following link:
https://www.educateiowa.gov/pk-12/special-
education/state-requirements-reports/iowa-
autism-council

7. National
- Advancing Futures for Adults with Autism: http://www.afaa-us.org/about
- Asperger Experts: https://www.aspergerexperts.com/
- Autism Now: http://autismnow.org/
- Autism Speaks: Legal Resource Center: https://www.autismspeaks.org/legal-resource-center
Blog: http://www.autismpolicyblog.com/2013/06/autism-speaks-legal-resource-center.html
- Autism Society of America: http://www.autism-society.org/
- Autistic Self-Advocacy Network: http://autisticadvocacy.org/
- Center for Disease Control and Prevention- Autism Link: http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/index.html
- National Institutes of Health- Autism Centers of Excellence:
https://www.nichd.nih.gov/research/supported/Pages/ace.aspx
- The Color of Autism Foundation: http://www.thecolorofautism.org/
-Thinking Person’s Guide to Autism: http://www.thinkingautismguide.com/
State and Regional (Eastern Iowa)
- Autism Society of Iowa: http://autismia.com/
-The Autism Society of Iowa has a wonderful up to date list of support groups across the state of
Iowa and includes many social media contacts that are great resources regarding local and
regional needs. See Link: http://autismia.com/support-groups/
- Iowa Child Health Connections: http://www.iowachildhealthconnections.com/
- National Alliance on Mental Illness – Iowa: http://namiiowa.org/
- Regional Autism Assistance Program:
http://www.chsciowa.org/regional-autism-assistance-program.asp
- University of Iowa’s Children’s Hospital Autism Center: http://www.uichildrens.org/autism/
Autism Spectrum Resources
P A G E 7

8. Resources for Iowans with Disabilities & Family Members:
-The ARC of Iowa: with links to local chapters: http://www.thearcofiowa.org/
- ASK Family Resource Center: http://askresource.org/
- Disability Rights Iowa: http://disabilityrightsiowa.org/
- Epilepsy Foundation of Iowa: http://www.epilepsyiowa.org/
- Iowa Area Education Agencies: http://www.iowaaea.org/
- Iowa COMPASS: Disability Resource Database: http://search.iowacompass.org/
- Iowa Department of Education - Autism Spectrum Disorder: https://www.educateiowa.gov/pk-
12/special-education/special-education-programs-services/autism
- Iowans with Disabilities in Action: http://www.idaction.org/
* A complete list of quick references from the Iowa Disabilities Council is available for download at the following link:
http://iddcouncil.idaction.org/documents/cms/docs/Publications/Quick_Reference_List_Aug2016.pdf
Voting:
- Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law:
http://www.bazelon.org/Where-We-Stand/Self-Determination/Voting.aspx
- Iowa Secretary of State– Voting with Disabilities: https://sos.iowa.gov/disabilities.html#ballot
- The Respect Ability Report: http://therespectabilityreport.org/
- United States Election Assistance Commission: http://www.eac.gov/default.aspx
-Third Party and Independent: http://2016.independent-candidate.org/
Other Autism Spectrum and Developmental Disabilities Links:
-disabilityscoop– Developmental Disabilities News: https://www.disabilityscoop.com/
- Disability Thinking—Disability Life, Ideas, Identity, Culture, Commentary, and Politics:
http://disabilitythinking.com/election-2016-cripthevote
- Huff Post: Autism: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/news/autism/
-The Mighty: We face disabilities, disease, mental illness together: https://themighty.com/
P A G E 8
Find Out About The Issues: Other Resources

9. Absentee Voting: If you would prefer to not vote at your polling location in person, you can vote prior to the
election via Absentee ballot. You must request an Absentee ballot by contacting your county auditor or by going to the
Iowa Secretary of State’s website where you can download application. After printing and completing application, you
will need to return the Absentee ballot application to the county auditor’s office in your county.
A list of county auditors by county can be found via the following link:
https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/auditors/auditorslist.html
Iowa Secretary of State: Absentee Ballot request and video tutorial overviewing Absentee Voting:
https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/electioninfo/absenteeinfo.html
Early Voting/Absentee Voting in Person: Each county auditor offers early voting before the elections in
person at the county auditor’s office during regular business hours. For more information on early voting see Iowa
Secretary of State’s website for more details: https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/electioninfo/absenteeinperson.html
Satellite Absentee Voting: Many county auditors set up other voting stations called “satellites” before election
day in public places such as libraries. To check if a satellite voting location is planned for your area check with your
county auditor’s office. For more details see the Iowa Secretary of State’s website:
https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/electioninfo/satellite.html
Curb Side Voting If you are unable to enter the building where the polling place is located because of disability,
two precinct election officials, one from each party, will take a ballot and election supplies outside to the voter. The
voter may then mark the ballot in the voter’s vehicle. The voter must sign the Affidavit of Voter Requesting Assistance.
It is not required, but would be helpful to contact the county auditor’s office, to let them know that you will be voting
curbside. If you for some reason are not able to contact the county auditor’s office, then bring a person with you in the
car to the polls so they can go in and let the poll workers know that someone is in the car and looking to cast their bal-
lot via curbside voting. However, it is highly recommended that one call the county auditor’s office prior to arriving so
that poll workers are prepared as Curb Side voting is relatively new in Iowa.
P A G E 9
Voting in Iowa
Not Sure what to Expect at the Polls in Iowa
Watch a video of the voting process in Iowa. The
video will give you a good idea of what to expect
when voting in person at the polls in Iowa. Your poll-
ing station may not look exactly the same as the poll-
ing location in the video.
ID Action Video Link:
http://www.idaction.org/vote/election-day-in-iowa-
video/
Voting Assistance
Some voters may need assistance at the polls or a Vot-
ing Assistant to complete the voting process. See the
following links for more details on accommodations for
voting.
Rooted in Rights: Voting with an Assistant Video:
http://www.rootedinrights.org/videos/voting/
Disability Rights Iowa:
http://disabilityrightsiowa.org/wp-
content/uploads/2012/11/Accommodations-at-the-
Polling-Place-4-1-14.pdf
ID Action—Voting Rights for Iowans
http://www.idaction.org/documents/resources/46.pdf

10. Election Day– Voting at the Polls: All of the poll locations in Iowa will be open from 7am-9am on November
8, 2016 and for all Primary and General elections.
Steps to Voting in Person at the Polls
-Locate the poll location where you will vote (see Page 3 of this manual for tips on how to find out where you vote).
-Upon arrival to the polling location, look for signs to direct you to place where you line up. Many poll stations have
signs that say “Vote” or “Vote Here”.
-Wait in line and when it is your turn, check in with the poll worker. Tell the poll worker your name or ask to register.
-The Poll Worker will check you in, direct you to the location where you will vote and tell you where to put your ballot
when you are finished voting.
-Helpful tips on voting can be found under the FAQ page of the Iowa Secretary of State’s web page; including an-
swers to questions like “What if I make a mistake on my ballot?” or “Do I have to vote for every race?” See Link:
https://sos.iowa.gov/elections/voterinformation/edfaq.html#15
-Each polling place can look different in Iowa and have different types of voting routines. If you have questions about
your particular voting place, you could call your county auditor’s office to inquire about details, ask about times of day
when the polls are less busy or to talk about accommodations that will assist you in the voting process. A list of voting
accommodations in Iowa can be found via the following link and on the last two pages of this manual.
Disability Rights Iowa: http://disabilityrightsiowa.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/Accommodations-at-the-
Polling-Place-4-1-14.pdf
P A G E 1 0
Voting in Iowa
Expected
-Greeting others and talking quietly to people while
waiting in line to vote.
-Greeting poll workers and thanking them for their help.
-If you are feeling fatigued or anxious, you can request
to move ahead in the line or you can ask for a chair to sit
in while you are waiting in line to vote.
-If you need help, you can ask a poll worker for assis-
tance. Or you can request a Poll Assistant (See page 6
of this voting manual for details).
Unexpected
-Asking other voters who they voted for while voting
at the polls.
-Telling others who you are voting for and why
while at the polls.
-Asking other people who you should vote for while
at the polls.
-Not asking the poll workers for help when you have
questions.
Some Expected and Unexpected Social Guidelines to Consider
When Voting in Person at the Polls

11. Important TermsBipartisan:
Involving the agreement or cooperation of two parties that usually opposes each other’s policies.
Conservative:
Often called the “political right,” used to describe someone who believes in less government and fewer government
programs, holds traditional views and values, and historically prefers slower and more cautious change.
Democratic Party:
One of two major political parties in the United States and the nation’s oldest existing party. The Democratic National
Committee (DNC) is the governing body for the Democratic Party, www.dnc.org.
Independent:
Independent Voter: Often called an unaffiliated voter in the United States, is a voter who does not align with a
political party.
Independent Politician: is an individual politician not affiliated to any political party.
Liberal:
Often called the “political left,” this describes someone who supports government programs to provide services (such
as health care), believes in a large government, favors monitoring business, and thinks protecting civil and individual
rights is important.
Moderate:
A political moderate is an individual who generally holds the middle position between conservative and liberal.
Nonpartisan:
Not allied with any one political party’s agenda.
Partisan:
A strong supporter of one political party’s agenda.
Republican Party:
One of two major political parties in the United States; often called GOP, which stands for Grand Old Party. The Re-
publican National Committee is the governing body of the Republican Party, www.rnc.org.
Third Party:
In the United States the term is used for any and all political parties other than one of the two major parties.
P A G E 11

12. Reproducing This Guide
The Eastern Iowa Autism Spectrum Voters Guide: Opening up the Voting Process to Those on the Autism
Spectrum is reproducible in its’ entirety. A PDF Version of this guide is available on the Tanager Place
Web Site: http://www.tanagerplace.org/treatment/autism-spectrum-disorders/
Eastern Iowa Autism Spectrum Voters Guide:
Opening up the Voting Process to those on the Autism Spectrum
Compiled by:
Joel Shrader - Asperger Self-Advocate
Mike Dierdorff - Autism Self-Advocate
Barb Trujillo - Parent and Founder CARE EXPO
Heather E. Hanzlick-Jaacks– Family Member and ASD Consultant with Tanager Place
Funding provided by ID Action 2016 Voter Grant: www.idaction.org
Acknowledgements:
Heather Adams: CARE EXPO—for donation of snacks/beverages for the presentation
Granger House, Marion Iowa - for supplying meeting space during the project
With Contributions from:
Leah Parker– Autistic Advocate
Barbara Kane– Parent and Family Navigator with RAP
Meridith Myers, President of CARE EXPO and Tanager Place, PIH Care Coordinator
Rik Shannon– ID Action