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David Shaw

2026 Voting Resources

With Election Day right around the corner, MCIL and ADA Minnesota have prepared some resources to help ensure that everyone understands their right to vote and how to access accommodations. The following resources are available in PDF format:

Requesting a Ride to Your Polling Place

Need a Free Ride to Your Polling Place? Find out more about this and fill out a survey to request a free ride to your polling place.

This survey was created in collaboration by organizers from Minnesota Voice and a community of vetted volunteers called Neighbors Helping Neighbors. This information will be shared with members of the Minnesota Voice team, the organizers of Neighbors Helping Neighbors, and a small group of vetted volunteers who will be assisting with operations. It will be kept confidential (hosted on the MN Voice Google Suite) and utilized for the purpose of organizing and planning rides to the polls. If at any time you would like us to delete your data, please send your request to bri@minnesotavoice.org or annastamborski@gmail.com

Disability Employment Legal Settlements – Minnesota and Other States

Workers and job applicants can file employment discrimination complaints with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and/or the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC).  During the complaint process, there is an opportunity to resolve complaints informally.

In August 2026, MDHR announced a settlement with Glacier Ice House where an employee went on a disability leave for cancer treatment, but laid off the employee during a larger layoff even though the employer let other workers without disabilities move to other open positions. The employee who was on leave for cancer treatment was not given that option and the employer referred to the employee’s medical condition as a reason for the layoff.  MDHR investigated and concluded that Glacier violated the Minnesota Human Rights Act before arriving at a $115,000 settlement and an agreement that Glacier would revise its policies, provide training, and make reports to MDHR.

Also, the EEOC entered into a settlement agreement with:

  • Pearson Education in New Jersey to resolve a claim that it discriminated against employees with visual impairments when it required employees to use an inaccessible benefits platform and did not provide any reasonable accommodations to access the platform.
  • A Kroger’s in Atlanta, Georgia to resolve a claim that it stopped scheduling an employee, who was a breast cancer survivor who had nerve damage, for shifts and ignored her calls after she asked to sit on a stool or chair during her shifts.
  • Piedmont Cheerwine Bottling Company in North Carolina resolve a claim that it improperly made an employee do an agility test and asked her asked impermissible questions about her health, even though the employee met the physical requirements of the job.

MCIL hosts “Celebrating Constitution and Citizenship Day, Independent Living and the Right to Vote” September 17 at Capitol Rotunda

Public gathering will honor our nation’s founding principles and the importance of citizen engagement

ST. PAUL, MINN – (September 3, 2026) – In 1952, the United States Congress formally designated September 17 as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, commemorating the signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787. As we honor our nation’s 250th Anniversary, the day calls for a marked celebration of the Constitution’s foundational values, laws, and aspirations that govern our land, while reiterating voting rights and the critical role of engaged citizenship. On September 17, the Metropolitan Center for Independent Living (MCIL) will host a free, public afternoon event at the St. Paul Capitol Rotunda. Titled “Celebrating Constitution and Citizenship Day, Independent Living and the Right to Vote,” the event will highlight the power of civic engagement and the rights of individuals with disabilities, notably the right to vote. The gathering will also serve as the kick-off for a voter education initiative MCIL is implementing, funded through a generous grant from the Minnesota Council on Foundations’ The Minnesota Civic Resilience Fund.

Speakers for the event include Master of Ceremonies, Dr. Rachel Wobschall, Chief Development Officer, The Arc Minnesota & MCIL Board Member, Theo W. Braddy, Executive Director, National Council on Independent Living, Professor Lisa Schiltz, University of St. Thomas Law School, Secretary of State Steve Simon, State of Minnesota, and Voter Forum speakers, Dan Stewart, ADA Advocacy Response Director, MCIL, Gene Martinez, Legislative Advocacy Coordinator, The Arc Minnesota/REV UP MN, Chad Wilson, Esq., Minnesota Disability Law Center, Melanie Hazelip, Voter Outreach Director, Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office, Matt Langland, Minnesota Secretary of State’s Office. Welcoming Remarks, Jesse Bethke Gomez, Executive Director, MCIL.

Immutable laws, such as the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, serve as the basis for our Constitution and underscore the importance of government's role in organizing for the security, benefit, and protection of its people. “Celebrating Constitution and Citizenship Day, Independent Living and the Right to Vote,” will honor our nation’s commitment to and the power of “We the People,” as foundational to who we are as a democracy and constitutional society.

Event Details: Free and Open to the Public. ASL and CART services will be provided.
Date/Location: September 17, 2026  | St. Paul Capitol Rotunda, 75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., St. Paul, MN 55155 
Time:  2:00 – 3:00 p.m.– Constitution and Citizenship Day Presentations | 3:00 – 3:45 p.m. Voter Education Forum
For a full list of presenters, event updates, and live streaming access, please visit the event page on the MCIL website.

“Constitution and Citizenship Day is the perfect occasion to also celebrate independent living and the right to vote and to underscore the foundational values that guide our nation and to elevate the importance of an engaged, informed citizenry,” said Jesse Bethke Gomez, MMA, MCIL Executive Director. “Members of the disability community are significant contributors to the rich fabric of our country, our history, and a critical voice in our voting populace.” Bethke Gomez continued, “Now more than ever, ensuring equitable voting access and advancing independent living for members of the disability community across our state and our country are central to the nature of who we are as a constitutional society.

The seven life-sustaining dimensions: 1. Affordable, nutritious food; 2. Human services benefits and long-term services and supports; 3. Education, including the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), Individualized Education Programs (IEP) and soft skills learning; 4. Community connectedness, civic participation and transportation; 5. Affordable, integrated accessible housing; 6. Employment benefits, reasonable accommodations civil rights, ADA, and 7. Affordable healthcare covering behavioral and public health - guide MCIL’ s mission. We see a direct throughline from the Constitution’s promise of the immutable laws of humanity, namely a society that advances freedom, safety, fairness, human dignity, and the work of caring for one another, along with the seven life-sustaining dimensions needed for all to thrive. We look forward to reflecting on these values, the rights of the disability community, and the power everyone’s vote must help shape our society.”

“The Constitution begins with three powerful words: ‘We the People.’ But throughout our history, people with disabilities have not always been treated as though we are part of ‘We the People,” said Theo W. Braddy, Executive Director, National Council on Independent Living. “Independent Living is about changing that. It is about having the freedom to make choices about our own lives, to live in our communities, and to have a voice in the decisions that affect us. That includes the right to vote. We are not asking for extra rights. We are demanding equal access to the rights and freedoms that belong to all of us. Because ‘We the People’ must include people with disabilities.”

“We are excited to launch our voter education initiative at the “Celebrating Constitution and Citizenship Day, Independent Living and the Right to Vote” event,” said MCIL ADA Advocacy Response Director Dan Stewart.  “We are immensely grateful to the Minnesota Council on Foundations’ Minnesota Civic Resilience Fund. The Minnesota Civic Resilience Fund was established to mobilize philanthropic resources in support of democratic participation, civic engagement, and community voice across Minnesota. This grant will fund our efforts to conduct voter education with disability communities throughout Minnesota. From schools to libraries, 4-H groups to community cable stations, we look forward to sharing resources with members of the disability community, advocates, allies, and others, while reinforcing the power of an engaged populace and ensuring people have access to exercise their right to vote and be heard.”

MSN Names Jesse Bethke Gomez Among Top 10 Leading Men in 2026

Thank you to MSN for the honor of including MCIL Executive Director Jesse Bethke Gomez among their Top 10 Leading Men in 2026. This honor recognizes the work of MCIL in solving the direct care workforce shortage crisis. Jesse had this to say about MCIL's work:

"We are guided by the immutable laws of humanity, which are self-evident, universal, and serve as the basis of a constitutional society in that call to advancing freedom, safety, fairness, human dignity, and the work of caring for one another in pursuit of solving the direct care crisis, transforming the healthcare system and society"

Read Top 10 Leading Men in 2026 on the MSN website.

Jesse Bethke Gomez poses in front of the Capitol, looking off into the distance.

ADA 36th Anniversary

The logo has a white background. Row 1: Text in red, ADA, followed by wheelchair access symbol in blue. Row 2: Text in blue, 36, then text in red, Celebrate, above text in blue – July 26, 2026.
Credit: ADA National Network (adata.org) 1-800-949-4232

 

MCIL and ADA Minnesota is proud to support the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 36th Anniversary. On July 26th we celebrated  this important civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in all areas of public life, including jobs, schools, transportation, and all public and private places that are open to the general public. The purpose of the law is to make sure that people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else.

MCIL and ADA Minnesota is proud to support the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) 36th Anniversary. On July 26th we celebrate this important civil rights law that works to ensure all people with disabilities have the same rights and opportunities as everyone else. Celebrate with us by visiting: adaanniversary.org

Happy 36th Anniversary to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)! Did you know that the ADA National Network is a free resource that provides information and training on the Americans with Disabilities Act? You can also register now for the National Virtual Event on July 30, 2026! The Virtual Event will “celebrate two significant milestones: the 36th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the 35th Anniversary of the ADA National Network (ADANN).” And, during “this two-hour webinar, each of the 10 regional ADA Centers will highlight how they support this mission and the impact their work has had in promoting voluntary compliance and ADA education.”  ADA Minnesota is proudly part of the ADA National Network, ADA Great Lakes Center, Region 5.

You can also find out more about the ADA on the ADA Minnesota website and from ADA Great Lakes Center.

Here are some additional resources:

Minnesota Primary Day is August 11, 2026

What is the Primary Election?

A primary election determines which candidates will be on the ballot for the November 2026 general election.

For partisan offices, like a state or U.S. representative or senator, you can only vote for candidates from one political party.  Partisan offices will be clearly marked on your ballot and will usually be on the front of the ballot. One person from each party advances to the November general election.

For nonpartisan offices, like county, city, township and school boards, you can vote for your top choice.  Nonpartisan offices will usually be on the back of the ballot. The nonpartisan candidates with the most votes will be on the November general election ballot.

Important 2026 Primary Dates

What’s on my Primary Ballot?

You can find out what’s on your Primary Ballot by entering your address on this Minnesota Secretary of State Voting Information Portal.

The Star Tribune has a Primary Voting Guide. You can find other voting guides too.

Voting Basics

Here’s what you need to know:

  • You must be able to vote in Minnesota. You need to be a U.S. Citizen, at least 18 years old on Election Day, and a resident of Minnesota for at least 20 days. Importantly, you cannot vote if you are currently incarcerated for a felony conviction or under a court order that revokes your right to vote.
  • You must be registered to vote. Most Minnesotans are already registered through automatic voter registration when they get a state-issued ID.
    • If you are not registered and eligible to vote, you can register online (with your MN driver’s license or MN ID card number or the last four numbers of your Social Security and an email address).
    • You can also use a paper form to complete, and return to your local elections office or you can register when you vote. Contact local elections office for if you need a disability accommodation to the online, paper, or same day/early voting registration process.
    • If your name or address changes, you’ll need to re-register. You can check to see if you are registered.
  • Once you’re registered, you have options on where and how to vote:

Rights and Resources

For people with disabilities, there are laws to make sure you can vote and that your vote counts! Under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Minnesota Law you can ask for disability accommodations with registration, absentee ballots, or other parts of the voting process. The local county election office can help with these requests and, of course, polling places must be physically accessible.

Here are some voting resources:

July 2026 – ADA Minnesota/MCIL Celebrates Disability Pride Month

Disability Pride Month recognizes and celebrates people with disabilities, promotes inclusion and challenges barriers. Disability Pride Month happens every July, which coincides with the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law (on July 26, 1990).

Come join MCIL/ADA Minnesota and other disability advocacy partners at the 4th Annual ACT Disability Pride Festival! Stay tuned for more details on the date and time.

Here are some resources on Disability Pride Month:

Long Covid and Post Viral Chronic Conditions (PVCC) Information and Resources

Minnesotans continue to experience the effects of Covid-19, Long Covid and other post-viral chronic conditions. The Minnesota Department of Health (MDH) has a comprehensive set of information and resources about what is happening in Minnesota and how Minnesotans experience symptoms and effects.

MDH also has created a Statewide Roadmap to Address Long COVID and Post-Viral Chronic Conditions.

There is also continuing nationwide attention to Long Covid and PVCC as shown by these stories and reports:

Long Covid/PVCC and Employment Rights

MCIL received funding from MDH to provide information, technical assistance, training and resources on Long Covid/PVCC and Employment. Contact Dan Stewart, dans@mcil-mn.org with questions about or training requests on how the ADA, Minnesota Human Rights Act and other laws apply to employment rights, disclosing disability, seeking accommodations, participating in the interactive process, and other related topics.