Mock election helps those with developmental disabilities to vote

First Place is an Arizona charitable nonprofit that’s developing a comprehensive approach to supportive housing and community development.

To help people with autism or intellectual and developmental disabilities become more accustomed to voting.

First Place organized a mock election in collaboration with Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, the Maricopa County Recorder’s office, and the Maricopa County Elections office.

We spoke with Denise Resnik, founder of First Place, about the mock election.

“It was all about helping the community understand what is available through the Maricopa County Recorders Office, their election office and how we can make voting more accessible to more people,” First Place Founder Denise Resnik said. “And also getting more people registered to vote who have autism and a spectrum disability.”

In October 2023, First Place introduced Vote the Spectrum, an initiative to register 10,000 people with A/I/DD and their allies to vote.

According to Resnik, the purpose of the mock election was to help people with autism spectrum disorders and other disabilities feel more at ease when casting their ballots and to give them an idea of what to expect on November 5 or in any other election they choose.