Slide 1:
Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail: 
A New Way for California Voters to Vote Privately and Independently

Fred Nisen, Supervising Attorney
Disability Rights California
Voting Rights Unit
Slide 2: 
Traditional Voting Options
All voters can request a vote-by-mail ballot without a reason why they cannot vote in person.
Vote-by-Mail ballots are generally only available in paper
Generally, all voters may go to their polling place. Each polling place has an accessible voting system.
Slide 3:
How accessible is traditional Vote-by-Mail?
Many voters with disabilities find it easier to vote-by-mail for the convenience of the process.
For people with certain disabilities, (e.g. people who are blind or have a vision loss, people with mobility, dexterity or intellectual and developmental disabilities) voting by mail requires them to waive their right to a private and independent ballot because the paper ballots require voters to be able to read the ballot independently and be able to use a pen to mark the ballot.
Slide 4:
Example
Several years ago, due to unusual circumstances, it was necessary for me to Vote-by-Mail
Because of dexterity issues, I needed assistance to mark my ballot…

Slide 5:
Example (continued)
…unfortunately, I chose my mother to assist me.
Needless to say, we differed on a number of candidates and issues.
Slide 6: 
SO MUCH FOR MY PRIVATE AND INDEPENDENT BALLOT!
Slide 7:
More Accessible Voting Options Needed
Some voters with disabilities are unable to vote by mail privately and independently. Nor can they get to their respective polling location.
Washington, Colorado, Oregon, and Maryland have ballot marking devices for voters with disabilities to read and mark their vote-by-mail (or absentee) ballots privately and independently using their own devices.
Slide 8: 
Movement Towards All-Mail Elections
San Mateo County held an all-mail special election in 2015 as a pilot.
Several states now have all-mail elections, such as Washington and Oregon.
Colorado uses the vote center model.
Five counties in California will be using the vote center model in 2018 (under California’s Voter’s Choice Act passed in 2016) similar to Colorado: San Mateo, Napa, Madera, Sacramento, and Nevada.

Slide 9: 
Voting Under The Voters Choice Act
Only applies to the 5 counties (San Mateo, Napa, Madera, Sacramento, and Nevada) in 2018. All counties will have the option to switch in 2020.
Every voter will be mailed a ballot
Instead of neighborhood polling places there will be a limited number of Vote Centers located throughout the county as well as some Drop-Off Boxes.
At Vote Centers: 
Voters can drop off a completed vote-by-mail ballot
Vote using an accessible voting system 
Register and vote on the same day
Voters will be able to use any vote center in the county
Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail
Slide 10:
Remote Accessible Vote-By-Mail
DRC and other disability advocates opposed SB 450, the bill that became the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA), until they added protections for voters with disabilities including Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail
Because of the lawsuit and the VCA, AB 2252 was passed requiring the Secretary of State to certify Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail.
A voter with disability would use their own assistive technology to read and mark a ballot. 
Because of security concerns they will need to print the ballot and mail it back.

Slide 11:
Remote Accessible Vote-By-Mail (Continued)
This is similar to the way that military and overseas voters can get their ballots. However, the ballot must be accessible and, unlike military and overseas voters, voters with disabilities are not allowed to return their ballot by fax.
The Secretary of State has certified two systems and another one is in the process of getting tested.
Slide 12:
Current RAVBM Systems:
Democracy Live (certified)
Five Cedars (certified)
Dominion (currently under testing for certification)
Slide 13:
How does RAVBM work?
1. When the voter receives their VBM ballot, they should keep the return envelope to return the ballot selections.
2. A voter would request a RAVBM from their County elections office by postage paid application, phone or email.
3. Once request is received, an email with a link to the RAVBM will be sent to the voter.  Voter would click on link and enter their voter information in a secured portal. At this time, the voter would affirm they are a voter with a disability (type of disability is not asked).
4. Voter downloads their specific ballot type and any additional information and instructions on how to mark and return the ballot.

Slide 14:
How does RAVBM work? (Continued)
5. Voter marks their ballot using own assistive technology (jelly switches, screen readers, mouse keys, sip and puff, etc)
Voter will be alerted to overvotes and undervotes as they navigate through the ballot.
6. Once complete, voter prints out ballot with their selections and places in envelope.
7. Voter signs envelope.
8. Voter can return ballot by mail (postmarked and received within 3 days), drop box, or polling place/vote center by 8pm on Election Day. Voter can check the status of their ballot.