We want to ensure the rare disease community’s voice is heard in local, state and federal elections around the country. With election season approaching, RDLA has compiled resources to assist advocates in ensuring you are all prepared to vote!
- Vote.org – Vote.org is a one-stop resource for all of your voting needs! You can check your registration, register to vote, request an absentee ballot, sign up for election reminders and more.
- Vote411.org – Voter411 is a non-partisan site that finds voter requirements for your state and helps you get registered!
- RDLA’s Congressional Scorecards – These scorecards list the actions your Members of Congress have taken on federal legislation impacting the rare disease community and a grade for each Member.
- Rare Disease Congressional Caucus –The Rare Disease Congress Caucus is bicameral, bipartisan and convenes quarterly to inform Congressional offices about issues affecting rare disease patients. Check to see if your legislator(s) are part of the caucus. If they are not, you can write them and encourage them to join.
- USA.gov – USA.gov provides information on elections for state and local officials. Don’t know where your state representatives stand on rare disease issues? Check to see if your state has a rare disease caucus or call your state representative’s office and ask for their stance on legislation affecting rare disease patients.
- NORD State-by-State Report Cards – The National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD) has created this useful guide offering state-by-state insights on medical food coverage, newborn screening, Medicaid eligibility and other issues that affect rare disease patients and their families.
- Ballot Initiatives – Based on your location, there may be state ballot initiatives that could affect the rare disease community. National Conference of State Legislatures provides a neutral analysis of ballot initiatives at the state and local level.
- KFF’s Health Policy 101 Resource: KFF is an independent source for health policy research, polling, and news. They have recently created a resource called Health Policy 101, which details the politics of health care and the 2024 election.
- U.S Election Assistance Commission – This commission was created to assist states in improving voting systems and voter access for all Americans. The resource linked gives you additional information on the commission and other laws impacting voting rights for people with disabilities.
Notice a valuable voter resource that’s missing? Please email RARE Advocates at advocacy@rareadvocates.org.
