Clay Pierce

The Project

Clay (he/him) advances voting rights for people with disabilities by challenging state laws that limit and criminalize voter assistance.

Millions of adults across the United States live with a disability. People with disabilities routinely rely on neighbors, friends, or institutional staff to help them request and return their absentee ballot. Some state laws disenfranchise voters with disabilities by prohibiting—and even criminalizing—that necessary assistance. These laws violate Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act, which protects the right to assistance by a “person of the voter’s choice,” with narrow exceptions.

Fellowship Plans

During his Fellowship, Clay will work directly with voters impacted by restrictive assistance laws to bring claims under Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act, among other civil rights laws. Clay will meet with voters and grassroots disability advocacy groups to meet voters’ needs and develop public education materials. He will also work with ACLU state affiliates and other advocates to prevent passage of additional harmful laws.

Media