Many Voters with Disabilities Can Vote by Mail Privately and Independently

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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.

Background:

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. Since January 1, 2020 Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail (RAVBM) must be available in every county in California. Prior to this mandate only certain counties offered this means of voting. This newly mandated method of access means voters with certain disabilities, such as vision and dexterity disabilities, can now vote privately and independently.

What is Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail (RAVBM)?

RAVBM systems will allow voters with disabilities, many of whom often rely on others to assist them in reading and marking their ballot, to cast their vote privately and independently from home. This IS NOT internet voting.

How do RAVBM systems work?

Generally, a RAVBM system gives a voter with a disability an opportunity to download a ballot, allowing them to read it and mark it using their own assistive technology device.  At that point, the voter with a disability has to print out their selections and return them to the County Elections Office.  Disability Rights California published a video demonstration of a RAVBM system available on our YouTube channel.

How would a voter with a disability return their selections to the County Elections Office?

Voters will need to either mail it or drop it off at a voting location or ballot dropbox. The ballot must be in the specially provided envelope you will receive from your County Elections Office.  You must sign the envelope, which has specially punched holes to indicate the signature line where a person with a sight disability should sign. If you are unable to sign your name due to a disability or injury please see our publication You Can Register and Vote Even if You Can't Sign Your Name.

What are the requirements for receiving a RAVBM ballot?

In some counties, a voter with a disability who would like to use the RAVBM system must, first, register as a Vote-by-Mail voter. A voter may request a Vote-by-Mail Ballot or a RAVBM ballot up to seven (7) days prior to Election Day.1 Voters who reside in Voter’s Choice Act counties,2 do not have to request a Vote-by-Mail ballot as they will automatically be receiving a ballot with the return envelope. All voters wishing to use the RAVBM system regardless of location must still however, request RAVBM up to seven (7) days prior to Election Day.

How many RAVBM systems are there in California?

Currently, the California Secretary of State has conditionally approved four systems, Democracy Live Secure Select 1.2.2, Five Cedars Group Alternate Format Ballot (AFB) v5.2.1, Dominion ImageCast Remote 5.2 and Los Angeles County’s Interactive Sample Ballot 2.5.1.

How secure are RAVBM systems?

California has one of the most strenuous testing and certification programs in the country to ensure that your private and independent ballot is secure.

Individuals with Disabilities may also Contact Disability Rights California Voting Hotline for further information: 888-569-7955

Disclaimer: This publication is legal information only and is not legal advice about your individual situation. It is current as of the date posted. We try to update our materials regularly. However, laws are regularly changing. If you want to make sure the law has not changed, contact DRC or another legal office.

  • 1. Some counties allow voters with disabilities to use RAVBM by going directly to the portal from the County Elections Office’s website without a formal request.  Individual counties can modify their website as needed.
  • 2. A list of Voters’ Choice Act (https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voters-choice-act/) counties can be found on the Secretary of State’s website. Additionally, Plumas, Alpine and Sierra are permanent all Vote-by-Mail counties.