Where candidates stand on issues may be cloudier for some in the electorate than others, especially disabled voters. Alicia Boehme of the Wisconsin Disability Vote Coalition says that’s one reason the group conducted surveys to find out what issues were most important to the disabled and then integrated those ideas into questions for candidates during special forums.
“We’re trying to let them (disabled voters) know ‘hey your vote does make a difference,” says Boehme.
Election issues for the disabled in Wisconsin are much like everyone else’s, healthcare, Social Security, jobs and economy, she says. Other focuses may include funding for community based programs and access to services, transportation and public places.
The coalition was among dozens of aging and disability groups who sponsored a July forum in Green Bay with gubernatorial candidates Tom Barrett and Mark Neumann; Scott Walker couldn’t attend. Senator Russ Feingold and challengers Ron Johnson and Tim Westlake were also there.
This month in Wausau, House candidates Sean Duffy and Julie Lassa did a similar forum.