Democratic Party hears deaf caucus-goer’s complaint loud and clear

As a full-fledged member of the party of inclusion, Democrat Denny Voreck was feeling left out of Saturday's presidential caucus.

He went to his precinct at the appointed time and, like many others, dealt with the confusion associated with the process. But Voreck's challenges that day were compounded by the fact he's deaf.

Precinct workers didn't intend to be insensitive, but they were ill-prepared to help Voreck communicate with his fellow caucus-goers in the chaotic atmosphere.

Had he been the only deaf person isolated by the process on Saturday, Voreck probably would have written off the affair as just another snub the hearing-impaired are forced to endure.

But Voreck also is the chairman of the fledgling Clark County Deaf Caucus, a small but energetic group of politically active, hearing-impaired voters, and he decided to make his opinion known this week in a letter to Nevada Democratic Party Chairwoman Jill Derby.

He wrote in part, "After I had a discussion with several deaf colleagues regarding our experiences at Nevada Democratic Caucus last Saturday, we unanimously agreed that our experience was pretty unpleasant."

In addition to citing the standard problems others also experienced, Voreck explained that, because he doesn't lip read, he must rely on communicating in sign language or via pen and paper.

"I absolutely had no idea what they attempted to speak with me ..." Voreck added. "I felt handcuffed because I did not have the opportunity to persuade uncommitted voters or voters from other candidates to switch to my preferred candidate. Many of us felt disfranchised from being part of the whole process and ultimately, it discouraged us to participate in this so-called 'fair political process.'"

He also noted that the Americans With Disabilities Act doesn't allow such discrimination in public places. While no one is contemplating a lawsuit, Voreck made good sense when he suggested ways to improve the process.

First, set up a place specifically equipped to accommodate the hearing impaired, a deaf caucus. Provide interpreters at the precinct with a reasonable advance notice.

Or, he said, dump the caucus process and hold a primary next time.

Ordinarily, one man's complaint about a political process wouldn't generate much action. But not only does Voreck make salient points, he's a member of a party that went far out of its way to accommodate Strip casino workers and Culinary union members by approving controversial at-large precinct sites. Although the Nevada State Education Association argued unsuccessfully that the at-large sites were unfair, their very existence raises the issue of fairness for other potentially disenfranchised voters.

For instance: the shift workers who toil downtown. They received no special treatment. Nor did employees at the valley's many neighborhood casinos. Nor, for that matter, did employees who work at major shopping malls.

Ironically, the deaf caucus only recently received its charter at the suggestion of the Clark County Democratic Party and with the cooperation of the state party. Party bosses said they believe it's the first of its kind in the nation.

"I understood his concerns," county Chairman John Hunt said. "We were really supportive of that. We actually tried to accommodate him and contacted the state party, the guys who were running the caucus."

Contacted Tuesday, Derby said she was aware of Voreck's letter, appreciated his suggestions, and planned to act to improve the admittedly chaotic system.

In short, Derby didn't pass the buck. Frankly, her candor was refreshing.

"Caucuses are messy, as is democracy," she said. "I can see that in terms of the caucus that we didn't have what we needed. His suggestions are very good."

It's also true that the caucus was hamstrung by its success. Approximately 116,000 people converged on 1,700 precinct sites, and in many spots there weren't enough volunteers. It's what Derby called "a problem of abundance."

Which is a polite way of saying that, in most years, the party hasn't had to worry about having too many voters turn out.

Meanwhile, Hunt said the Democratic Party's new deaf caucus will be accommodated at the Clark County convention Feb. 23 at Bally's.

If Democratic Party officials want to continue their controversial practice of carving out at-large precincts, they'd be smart to begin with the people who need the help most.

John L. Smith's column appears Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday. E-mail him at Smith@reviewjournal.com or call (702) 383-0295.