Every vote counts. The secret ballot is the cornerstone of democracy and the right to vote is universal. These are the absolutes of election rights, and are among the phrases which motivate, even inspire, election workers, who in many nations face daunting challenges as they strive to carry out free and fair elections. Yet in many elections, these best of intentions rarely extend to or enfranchise citizens with disabilities.
The election laws of most nations establish criteria that limits the right to vote for people with psychiatric disorders. This criterion varies widely among nations. In some, those determined by court order to be insane cannot vote. In others, the right to vote is lost when a court appoints a legal guardian. In other nations still, the franchise is lost when someone is institutionalized, or even when someone is "known to be insane." No standards govern these laws, which seem subject to stereotypical and outdated views of mental disability.
The Elections and Disability Encyclopaedia topic review examples of election practices which create barriers for voters with disabilities, acquaint election authorities with emerging international standards on the electoral rights of disabled citizens and assist election authorities to identify specific strategies to enfranchise voters with different types of disabilities.
