Independent Perspective #1615

Guest:  Cathy Colicchia

Topic:  Independence Express to give voters with disabilities free rides to polls and deliver absentee ballots for anyone

Duration:  05:44

Published:  September 22, 2020

Host:  Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guest today is Cathy Colicchia, Director of Independence Express, the transportation division of WNYIL, and your host is yours truly, Ernie Churchwell. Welcome to the program, Cathy.

Guest:  Thank you, Ernie.

Host:  And we're asking you on here because your department is actually offering the public and segments thereof a number of special services to help in the voting process. First of all because it's the something that we've continued from previous years, can you tell us about rides for people with disabilities?

Guest:  Sure, we have assistance for people with disabilities to go vote. We will be starting October 24 through November 1 with early voting, if people would like to get a ride to their polling place. They need to find out where it is, and they can either call or email, our department, and let us know that they would like a ride to go vote. We'd appreciate if they gave us as much notice as possible. But we are running, like I said, between October 24 and November 1 between 8:30 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. to take people to vote if they have a disability.

Host:  Alright, and what about for Election Day itself?

Guest:   Election Day itself, people need to call us as soon as possible. But if they forget or if they have a ride that falls through and no one's able to take them, they're welcome to call us and try to schedule a ride. We may not be able to give them the exact time they asked for, but we will do our best to attempt to get them to the polls.

Host:  I believe that you're also offering a service that goes beyond individuals with disabilities. When it comes to absentee mailing and other kinds of ballots what's going on there?

Guest:  We are looking at the issues that people are facing and with the pandemic going on right now a lot of people may be hesitant to go to a polling place to vote so many are requesting absentee ballots during this time. So, we would like everybody to exercise their right to vote. And even if they don't have a disability if they request an absentee ballot and would like it taken directly to the Board of Elections, we are happy to do that for them. They would just need to call us at least two days in advance of getting their absentee ballot. We will pick it up from their home and take it directly to the county board of elections where they live. We will be doing that, up until Friday, October 30, there'll be a written record that we have dropped it off. So, if people are not eligible for any of our services, it doesn't matter. It's a free service, we're going to be picking up ballots and taking them directly to the board of elections in Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties.

Host:  And contrary to what some public figures have suggested, if people do vote absentee or mail in ballot, they should not do it again at the polling place on election day.

Guest:  Absolutely not, we all get one vote and, and that's all each of us need. So, we encourage people to use whatever they feel most comfortable with. If they're comfortable going to their polling place, and they have a disability we're happy to take them in all of those counties. And if they do not have a disability but are using an absentee ballot, we will pick up the, the absentee ballot from them and deliver it directly to the, to the Board of Elections.

Host:  And how can people make requests for these services, both by email and telephone?

Guest:  By email, it is very simple. All they need to do is send an email to transportation@wnyil.org and in the subject line write “Election Day”, so that we know that what was the, what they are requesting. They can do that, or they may call area code 716-836-0822 extension 108 and speak to Christian, and he will take the request for them. The more notice that people can give us the easier it'll be to serve more people. So, we would appreciate as soon as you know or as soon as you have an inkling that you want to use this service, let us know.

Host:  Thanks so much for being with us, Kathy.  

Guest:  Thank you, Ernie.

Host:  You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a Public Affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guest today was Cathy Colicchia, Director of Independence Express, the transportation division of WNYIL, and your host was yours truly, Ernie Churchwell.