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Eric Patrick Thomas helps inspire change and ‘a win for the whole disability community’

Featured photo: Eric Patrick Thomas. Provided by Eric Patrick Thomas

Written by Tanya Terry

Eric Patrick Thomas describes the intensity with which he fought to be able to exercise his right to vote privately and independently as being the same type of passion that drove him to go the record stores and stand in line on a Monday for a new tape to be released on Tuesday. He also described reaching his goal as like going up a mountain and, after weathering a storm with loose rock and snow avalanches, finally reaching the top. Since he has been able to vote in last month’s general election at Eisenhower School, he considers it to be a victory that was not just for him.

“It wasn’t just for me,” he said. “It was a win for the whole disability community.”

Thomas’ story was featured on November 7 on the Flint Courier News website. Thomas is living with a spinal cord injury and is paralyzed from the neck down. He uses sip-and-puff assistive technology to control his wheelchair. Thomas told the Courier someone shot him in the neck on September 20, 1997, at his music release party. Thomas created a series of 14 YouTube videos to share his voting experience with others. The videos show Thomas leaving the polls disappointed because he could not vote privately and independently in 2016, 2017 and 2018.

In 2019, the proper equipment was in place for him to vote at his polling location. In addition, the City of Flint had trained a person to use the equipment.

On October 23, 2020, Thomas revealed he used an accessible electronic absent vote ballot to vote remotely. The change was due to him being on bed rest at the time and due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

For the August 2022 primary, Thomas arrived at his polling location to find the machine he wanted so badly to use was still in the box. He described the experience as “backward.”

Since then, Thomas had been in contact with a number of different agencies and organizations. He contacted the Bureau of Elections Office and the the Department of Justice Eastern District of Michigan Office’s Disability Rights Division.

Thomas said he worked hard to make his dream happen to change “the system, the way things are.”

“For me to be able to go to the polling location and not say a word-go straight to the machine and vote-that’s what I wanted: to be a voter for once.”

Thomas said three people were ready for him when he arrived at the polls. One said he had the headset and the tubing ready-and he was trained to use the voter assist terminal. Thomas described the experience with this poll worker.

“There was at least two people that were trained on the VAT….He put it together. I just sat down, put it on my ear so he didn’t have to. I was wearing my shield anyways. He hooked it up. It didn’t work at first. I didn’t say anything.”

Within a couple minutes, Thomas said the problem was solved. Thomas was able to vote, and he knew who he was voting for.

According to Thomas, when he left, the supervisor who was at the polling location thanked him for the patience he has had through the years.

Still, Thomas said much more needs to happen.

“I think the next time I’m going to tell them to put the ballot in the printer so it’s ready to roll. Then, I can hit print and it will already be set up.”

Thomas notes there was more efficiency at the polling location than there had been since he’s voted there, started in 2012.

Thomas worked with the the Disability Rights Michigan, the D.O.J., the Secretary of State, the Michigan ombudsman, the ACLU.

“It’s encouraging to be able to use your voice and stay firm and know that one person can really make a difference at whatever they’re challenges are….They can see that things can be done if you do them  consistently, respectfully, passionately and think about the correct way-the processes.”

Thomas will continue working with Disability Rights Michigan. He is advocating for more voter education and eliminating all barriers to people in our community being able to exercise their right to vote privately and independently.

Thomas added people have already told them he empowered them. He has a clothing line called Inspire. He also noted his name is an acronym. Thomas said Eric stands for empowering, resilient, inspiring change. Yet, he expressed great gratitude for everyone who has supported him and his endeavors.

 

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