2021 Annual Report - Voting
2021 Annual Report - Voting
Empowering Voters with Disabilities - The 2021 Recall Election and Preparing for Future Elections
DRC continued working with state and local officials leading up to the 2021 recall election to ensure accessible voting and address barriers resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic made it especially important for the disability community to understand their voting rights and have accessible ways to voice their opinions.
DRC also began working with local officials and counties to help the transition for the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) model, which will be implemented in 2022, and to ensure accessibility for the disability community.
drc Advocacy Included:
Accessibility & Advocacy
- Ensured voting was accessible to everyone.
- Operated a year-round Voting Hotline for voters with disabilities.
- Focused on improving remote accessible vote-by-mail for voters with print disabilities, such as blind voters, voters with low vision, dexterity disabilities, and intellectual and developmental disabilities.
- Tracked, reviewed, and responded to amended election administration plans (EAPs) that detailed upcoming changes to the election due to the pandemic.
- Provided comments for changes/additions emphasizing curbside voting, vote center, and ballot drop-off locations accessibility and ensuring accessible election websites.
Outreach & Training
- Created materials in multiple languages and provided webinars/trainings in various languages and ASL.
- Drafted and published two publications regarding the 2021 recall election and accessible voting options for that election.
- Partnered with California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC) and the Sacramento County Registrar to lead trainings for advocates. Topics included: disability advocacy and participation in the election, voter accessibility requirements in California, the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA), and voting using an emergency medical ballot.
Promotion
- Educated and motivated people on voter registration, the recall process, accessible voting options, including in-person voting, curbside voting, vote-by-mail (including remote accessible vote-by-mail), and emergency medical ballot, deadlines, signature requirements, and signature mismatch/verification processes.
Looking Forward
DRC will continue to provide leadership and advocacy to improve accessible voting options and ensure all voters with disabilities can fully participate in future elections. We will continue to educate voters with disabilities on their voting rights and provide them with the information they need to have a positive voting experience. We will also partner with other organizations to educate the disability communities regarding voting and submit comments to counties whenever county elections changes may impact voters with disabilities.
