Did you know that 30 percent of eligible Americans are not registered to vote?

In 2008, the voter registration rate of people with disabilities was 3.3 percent lower than that of people without disabilities. Are you part of that percentage?

People with intellectual and developmental disabilities, their families and others who care about the issues that are important to our community have the power to impact our electoral process.

But first they — and you — have to register and vote.

The Arc, in partnership with Nonprofit Vote, is offering an array of resources for potential voters and advocates ahead of the 2012 national elections in November through the “We’ve Got the Power” campaign.

Nonprofit Vote is a nonpartisan organization dedicated to proving voter engagement tools and resources.

Visit www.thearc.org and click on the “We’ve Got the Power” icon to access information on how to register, important deadlines and eligibility.

Also, explore issues such as the protection of Medicaid, civil rights, education, employment, Social Security and more, and learn how to educate the candidates about what’s important to you. Then get in touch with us to find out what The Arc Mower County is doing to get out the vote and ensure people with I/DD are represented.

 Upcoming Events

•Sunday: Dad’s Belgian Waffle Breakfast, TODAY, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mower County Senior Center.

•Sept. 18: How you and your kids with disabilities can be empowered to handle bullying workshop, at 6:30 p.m. at the Austin Public Library.

• Oct. 6: USEM’s Customer Appreciation to Benefit The Arc of Mower County.

•Oct. 15: The Down Syndrome Connection Pumpkin Party, from 6 to 8 p.m.

 Jamey Helgeson is the Program Director at The Arc Mower County and can be reached at jamey@arcmowercounty.org or by calling 507-433-8994, Extension 102. You can also visit our website (www.arcmowercounty.org) and follow us on Facebook (www.facebook.com/arcmc).