Voters with disabilities

Let voters with disabilities know the following information:

 

• The Easy Voter Guide is available in audio through the National Federation of the Blind's Newsline Service. You can register for this service by contacting the National Federation of the Blind, either by phone at 1-866-504-7300, or through the Federation's web site. Registered customers of libraries for the blind and physically handicapped in California can also contact those libraries to apply for the Newsline Service. 

 

• The California Voter Information Guide for all elections is available in MP3 format on the California Secretary of State's web site.

 

• The Easy Voter Guide is available in large print. For a copy of the 'Large Print Edition', please email us.

 

• You can get the information in the official Voter Information Guide on tape. To order a tape or for more information about all of your rights, visit the Secretary of State's website. You can also download a 6-page flyer for voters needing special assistance, or see it online.

 

• You can ask for physical assistance. If you are unable to mark your ballot personally, you may be assisted by up to 2 people of your choice (excluding your employer, your labor union leader or their representatives). Things to remember:

  Poll workers can help voters, but, they must not influence you, and they cannot tell anyone how you voted.

  Voters can ask a sign language interpreter to help. You can bring your own interpreter or call the County Elections Office before the election to request an ASL interpreter.

  You can also take your service animal to the polling place and into the voting booth.

• If a polling place is not accessible, get as close as you can and ask a poll worker to provide 'curbside voting.' The poll worker will bring the voting materials to you.

 

• The law requires that there be voting systems in place that people with disabilities can use to vote privately and independently.

 

• A Vote by Mail Ballot lets you vote by mail. If your polling place is not accessible, or you cannot get there, you can vote by mail. But you must apply for a vote by mail ballot at least 7 days before the next election. Your Sample Ballot pamphlet has an application. Or you can contact your County Elections Office. Mail your absentee ballot or drop it off at the County Elections Office or at any polling place in the county where you are registered to vote. It must arrive by 8 p.m. on Election Day. If it is late, it cannot be counted.

 

• If a voter is hospitalized before Election Day he or she can still vote. Ask for an Emergency Absentee or Hospitalized Voter Ballot. Call the County Elections Office for an application. Then, send someone to the County Elections Office to pick up your absentee ballot. After you vote, they can return the ballot to the polling place.

 

• Many organizations are committed to helping voters with disabilities in California. Great resources include Protection and Advocacy, Inc. and the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers.