Empowering Voices: The Impact of Choice-Making on Voting Opportunity Among People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

The choice to vote is foundational within democratic societies. However, many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in the United States face barriers to their participation in the electoral process. This research examined the relationship between everyday choice-making and voting opportunities to better understand voting practices for adults with IDD. Using 5 years of merged data from the National Core Indicators In-Person Survey and the Supports Intensity Scale in one state, we used propensity score matching to assess the effect of choice-making (e.g., daily schedule, free time, and spending decisions) on voting opportunities. We found that people with IDD who had greater opportunities to make everyday choices were 7.1% more likely to have had the opportunity to vote compared to matched peers who did not have these opportunities. These findings emphasize the importance of supporting choice-making as a pathway to civic inclusion. Implications for families, educators, and service providers highlight the need for support approaches that foster choice and autonomy, which could lead to fuller participation in democratic processes.