ABLE NH

Statement on SB 287 On Friday, August 1, Governor Kelly Ayotte signed SB 287 into law, a harmful measure that will make it harder for Granite Staters to vote absentee.

This bill will force voters to notarize applications, submit photocopies of IDs, or travel in person just to request an absentee ballot. This will disproportionately harm disabled voters, seniors, and rural communities who already face barriers to the ballot box. At the same time, we celebrate a major step toward inclusion: the signing of HB 67, which requires every city, town, and school district to provide accessible voting systems in local elections. This means voters with disabilities will now have safe, secure, and private options to vote in every election, not just state or federal ones.

While HB 67 is a victory for accessibility, SB 287 and SB 218 are a setback for voting rights. We must continue working toward a voting system that is inclusive, practical, and equitable for every Granite Stater - where no one has to choose between their rights and their ability to participate in democracy.

Our Statement on SB 287

An update from Louis: "Hey everybody, I just bumped into Olivia here from Open Democracy, we actually just delivered over 100 [postcards] total to protect disability rights and disability voting rights. Thank you!"

"Thank you all for writing these in, and thank you all for getting your voices heard and appreciated. Let's see if this works."

"And now we have to get to work, because pride is just the spark that leads to justice, and I have here all these cards that we are going to walk up to Gov Ayotte's office right now to veto SB287." (cont'd)

Louis said: "Hey everybody, I just wanna thank you all for showing up last weekend. What an amazing event, I am humbled by all of our support and I am humbled by the progress that disability pride has made throughout our state." (cont'd below)

Olivia of OpenDemocracy holding postcards asking Governor Ayotte to veto SB 287 in front of the NH State House

Our Executive Director, Dr. Louis Esposito, arrived at the State House with approximately 50 postcards asking Governor Ayotte to #VetoSB287. We were joined by Olivia from Open Democracy, who doubled our efforts to protect disability rights and absentee ballot access.

"And the requirement of photo ID would provide an undue, extra step, [al hindrance to allow me to legally vote here in New Hampshire, and I have been a legal voter here in NH since age 18 in 1976."

"I am Tom, Thomas Charles Wood, a registered voter here in the town of Derry, here in New Hampshire. I oppose NH SB287 for the following reasons. One, it would disenfranchise me, a 67-year-old elderly retired adult who has lifelong physical and developmental disabilities, cerebral palsy and autism."

We want to share the words of an ABLE Member, Tom "Woody" Wood, who spoke about the importance of vetoing SB287 and standing up for equal ballot access. We hope that Governor Ayotte will honor the popular will of Granite Staters and #VetoSB287

Read his statement below:

"...and other people should be able to do this without barriers. We should not be creating barriers in our state when it comes to voting. Voting access is important and something that must be protected. That is why SB 287 must be vetoed."

"This will create barriers for many people in our state, including people who experience a disability. I've voted via absentee ballot before. and for me it was a great thing to do because I was out of state during the actual election..."

"SB 287 must be vetoed. My name is Colby Dudal and I'm on the ABLE NH Board of Directors. I'm asking Gov. Ayotee to please veto SB 287. This bill is related to absentee ballots and the requirement that one will have to do prior to voting via absentee."

Governor Ayotte, we are asking you to #VetoSB287 and protect the disability vote. This bill threatens to disenfranchise Granite Staters with disabilities, elderly voters, and more by restricting absentee ballot access.

Check out Colby Dudal's statement below:

Save the Date! Join us in the fall for the 2025 Advocate NH Conference: Let it Grow! When: October 17, 2025 Doors open: 8:30 AM Where: Memorial Union Building 83 Main St, Durham, NH 03824 Register: ablenh.org/advocate-nh-2025/ Interested in tabling and/or becoming a sponsor? Visit: ablenh.org/sponsor-advocate-2025/

Event Schedule 8:00 AM Doors Open 9:00 AM-9:25 AM Welcome Coffee and Continental Breakfast 9:30 AM-9:45 AM Opening Remarks 9:45 AM-10:15 AM Keynote, Jill Libby 10:25 AM-11:55 AM Breakout Sessions 12:00 PM-1:30 PM Lunch and Open Mic 1:35 PM-2:00 PM Second Keynote, ATinNH 2:10 PM-3:10 PM Art Activity 3:15 PM-4:15 PM Panel Discussion 4:15 PM-5:00 PM Networking and Time to Visit Exhibitor Tables

Register: ablenh.org/advocate-nh-2025

Don't forget to register for the upcoming 2025 Advocate NH Conference: Let it Grow! Swipe to see the event schedule, and share this in your network!

📝Join us via Zoom to get support writing letters to the editor, formulating your talking points, getting more information about how this bill would impact Granite Staters, and more.

Veto SB287: Office Hours Our Director of Policy and Advocacy is here to provide support in: • writing Letters to the Editor • writing postcards to the Governor • calling the Governor's Office • developing your talking points • sharing your story • anything related to SB 287 and protecting absentee ballot access Join us on: Thursday, July 24 11:30 AM-12:30 PM Zoom: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88116353033

⏰OFFICE HOURS HAVE BEEN UPDATED:

Tomorrow from 11:30 AM-12:30 PM, all are welcome to join in on our Director of Policy and Advocacy's office hours, designed to help you with anything related to opposing SB287, a bill that threatens absentee ballot access.

Emmanuel will be joining us to talk about his extensive disability advocacy at the local, state, and federal levels. Drawing on two decades of experience as a motivational speaker, he will also reflect on his lived experiences and what it means to share them with the public.

Leaders with Lived Experiences (LLE) Committee, and the NACDD board.

Delaware Developmental Disabilities Services Advisory Committee. Emmanuel also serves on the Advisory Committee for the Self-Advocacy Resource and Technical Assistance Center, chair of the National Association of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD)

Emmanuel is the founder and CEO of We Stand 4 Something, a nonprofit supporting individuals with disabilities and their families. He is the Community Relations Officer for the Delaware Developmental Disabilities Council and the vice-chair of the

Revive and Thrive: an interactive virtual series featuring Emmanuel Jenkins July 23, 6-7:30 PM Zoom The Impact, The Action: A Self-Reflection of Lived Experience

Register for Revive and Thrive ablenh.org/revive-and-thrive Missed A Previous Session? Catch Up on the Recordings on our YouTube Playlist bit.ly/revive-2025 Join Us on August 27 for Revive And Thrive: Parent and Caregiver Panel

Don't forget to join us on July 23 from 6-7:30 PM for our monthly Revive and Thrive Session, featuring Emmanuel Jenkins!
Register: ablenh.org/revive-and-thrive
Watch previous sessions: bit.ly/revive-2025

Please join us, take the survey, and share this opportunity with your networks. Together, we can help fix what’s broken and build a transportation system that works for all.

We especially want to hear from:

•People with disabilities
•Caregivers and family members
•Direct support professionals
•Advocates and allies

Why this matters:
This effort is part of a federally funded initiative through the NH Commission on Aging and ABLE NH’s Transportation Equity Task Force. The results will inform the state’s plans to invest in better, more accessible, and more equitable transportation options.

2025 NH Community Transportation Needs Assessment Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

Option 2- Can’t make it? Complete the survey instead
Your voice is just as important.

www.surveymonkey.com/r/transport_nh

Join our Cloud HD Video Meeting Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise cloud communications.

You can participate in two easy ways:

Option 1- Join a virtual listening session
July 18 at 12:00 pm or 7:00 pm, or July 19 at 10:00 am
us02web.zoom.us/j/84389460204 (Meeting ID: 843 8946 0204, Passcode: 603)
No prep needed – just come as you are to share your experiences.

The ABLE NH Transportation Task Force has partnered with the NH Commission on Aging to invite you to speak up as part of a statewide Community Transportation Needs Assessment. Your input will directly shape state transportation policy, funding, and service improvements.

Alt text: Please join us for a Listening Session to Speak Up For Better Transportation Your Experience Matters: This session is part of a statewide Community Transportation Needs Assessment led by the NH Commission on Aging and ABLE NH's Transportation Equity Task Force. We want to hear from: • People with disabilities • Caregivers and family members • Direct support professionals • Advocates and allies This is a welcoming, informal space to share your experiences and ideas. No preparation needed - just join the conversation and tell us what works, what doesn't, and what would help. Featured Attendees Teri Palmer, Statewide Mobility Manager Representatives from the NH Bureau of Developmental Services Jen Buteau, Administrator of the Community Transportation Needs Assessment *Can't Attend? Your voice is still vital. Please complete the Community Transportation Needs Assessment Survey online. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/transport_nh Mark your calendars for: Friday July 18 at 12 pm or 7 pm, or Saturday July 19 at 10 am Save Image and Press or Scan to Join Zoom Meeting ID 843 8946 0204 https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84389460204 Contact: Creighton@ABLENH.org Website: ablenh.org Instagram: @able.nh X: @ablenh1

Transportation is a critical link to independence, inclusion, and quality of life — but for many people with disabilities in New Hampshire, it’s not working the way it should.

Questions about getting involved? Reach out to organizer@ablenh.org for more information!

There are so many ways to be a part of work and community. Zoom links for all meetings except the Rainbow Connection Support Group can be found on our Community Calendar at ablenh.org/events/