Power at the Polls: Confronting Barriers to Accessible Democracy
The 2026 midterm elections will determine the leadership of nearly every level of government, yet for the 1 in 4 Americans with a disability, the right to a private and independent ballot remains under threat. Following a wave of restrictive state voting laws in 2025 and additional bills under consideration to further restrict voting, the complex landscape of procedural barriers could stifle several of the nation’s largest voting blocs.
New America will host a virtual event on the state of accessible democracy. This event will highlight grassroots power and examine the legal protections afforded by the ADA and the Voting Rights Act. The panel will discuss critical 2026 initiatives, such as the expansion of curbside voting pilots, the impact of federal “SAVE” legislation, and how election officials can ensure that polling places are physically and digitally accessible for all.
The event will feature election experts, democracy experts, and voting experts, including disabled voting rights leaders.
Speakers
- Moderator: Mia Ives-Rublee, Disability Policy Analyst and Advocate
- Lee Drutman, Senior Fellow, Political Reform Program, New America
- Sydney Saubestre, Senior Policy Analyst, Privacy and Data Project, Center for Democracy and Technology
- Dom Kelly, Co-Founder, President & CEO, New Disabled South