Disability Rights California Voting Guide

Disability Rights California is sharing general information and tips for Californians with disabilities to make your vote count in the 2026 midterm elections. Here you’ll find information about DRC’s voting hotline, self-advocacy resources to support you in navigating the voting process, and videos with helpful information.

Disclaimer: These resources are based on the law at the time we write them. We try to update our materials; however, laws are regularly changing. If you want to make sure the law has not changed, contact us or another legal source.

Make a Plan for Successful Voting!

Here are some important things to think about before each election to help ensure you have a successful voting experience. You can write your own voting plan on the next three pages. You can choose to share your plan with others who support you, but you do not have to share it.

Voting for the First Time? Here’s how!

You’re going to be 18 years old by election day on Nov. 5, 2024 and you’re excited to vote for the first time in California! CONGRATS! Now, you have questions. We hope this helps!

Making Vote-by-Mail More Accessible: How to Vote from Home Privately and Independently

Learn how to vote privately and independently safely from your home using your own computer, or other personal electronic device, with your own accessible technology and a printer.

You Can Vote Even if You Can't Sign Your Name

This publication explains the different ways a voter can fulfill the signature requirement. A signature verification process is used to verify a voter’s signature on Vote-By-Mail or provisional ballots. In order to avoid rejection, your signature must match the one in your registration record. This is usually the signature you have on file at the DMV or on your voter registration affidavit.

Many Voters with Disabilities Can Vote by Mail Privately and Independently

Vote-by-Mail has become ever more popular in California. However, voters with certain disabilities, for example vision and dexterity disabilities, are not able to vote privately and independently using a paper Vote-by-Mail ballot because they cannot read or mark it. Effective January 1, 2020 Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail (RAVBM) must be available in every county in California.

How Can I Vote If I Cannot Vote in Person Because of a Medical Emergency?

This publication explains how you can vote even if you are unable to leave home or a health care facility, such as a hospital or rehabilitation center, because of a medical emergency. Counties can vary a lot in what options they offer. If you do not have the ballot that was mailed to you, you probably will need someone to help you obtain and return your ballot.

Voting Accessibility Advisory Committees (VAACs): Best Practices for County Elections Offices

A voting accessibility advisory committee (VAAC) is a committee of elections officials and community members that meets regularly to develop strategies to improve accessibility for voters with disabilities. A VAAC can benefit a county in many ways, including by providing a forum for the disability and senior communities to voice their concerns, as well as by providing opportunities for collaboration and outreach.

Your Right to Vote and Register to Vote When You are in a Facility

People with mental health disabilities committed under certain categories cannot vote. Others can vote. This pub tells you who can vote and who cannot. It gives you the law. It tells you when you can get your right to vote back.

Your Voting Rights When You Are Under Conservatorship

People who have conservators can vote unless a judge says they cannot. This pub tells you how to find out if a judge took away your right to vote. It tells you how to get the right to vote back. It tells you what to do if the judge will not give your right to vote back to you.

Voters with Disabilities

This publication provides an overview of voting for people with disabilities. It explains how voters with disabilities can get registered to vote and find information to make informed choices. Next, it covers the requirements that make voting accessible for people with disabilities. It will also explain temporary changes to the voting process for the November 2020 Presidential General Election to respond to health and safety concerns of the COVID-19 global pandemic.

VAAC’s: How Voters with Disabilities Can Make Elections More Accessible

A VAAC or “Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee” works with county election offices. It helps the county improve access to voting. This pub tells you what VAACs do. It tells you how to get one set up and how to be a member.

Frequently Asked Questions About Voter Identification

This short publication tells you when you need to show an ID to vote. You only need to show an ID at certain times. This publication also tells you which ID you will need to show. If you do not want to show your ID, it tells you what will happen.