Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee Madera County Registrar of Voters 2017

Purpose of the VAAC Feedback Collaboration Outreach

Purpose of the VAAC Feedback – A forum for the disability/senior/veteran communities to discuss issues they encounter in the voting process. Recommend accessibility improvements to polling places, websites, voter materials and election procedures.

Purpose of the VAAC Collaboration – Open lines of communication and cooperation with community groups. Address issues and minimize misunderstandings. Assist in recruitment of pollworkers.

Purpose of the VAAC Outreach – To individuals and organizations that promote awareness of individuals with disabilities, seniors and veterans. An opportunity for the Elections Division to better understand the diverse array of challenges faced by voters.

Duties of the VAAC Recommendations: reaching voters with disabilities, seniors, veterans; improving access and participation; Improving the availability and accessibility of elections materials.

Duties of the VAAC Advise: election officials on how to recognize barriers to participation for voters with disibilities, seniors and veterans; elections officials on existing programs to reach people with disabilities;

Duties of the VAAC Assist: Elections officials in disseminating information to the disabled, senior and veterans communities; Elections officials in developing more accessible voting materials; in the recruitment of pollworkers or precinct officials who are disabled, seniors, or veterans.

Meetings of the VAAC Meetings are held at least twice a year and more often as necessary. Meetings are structured to provide a forum where community members can provide independent advice that contributes to the Registrar’s decision-making process.

Meetings of the VAAC Meetings are open to the public and members of the public will have opportunity to make oral statements during meetings. Meetings are accessible to voters with Disabilities.

Legal Authority for a VAAC Voting Accessibility for the Elderly & Handicapped Act of 1984 promotes the fundamental right to vote by requiring access for the elderly and handicapped to registration facilities and polling places in Federal Elections. Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) requires public entities to provide auxiliary aids and services where necessary to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in, and enjoy, the benefits of a service or program or activity conducted by a public entity.

Legal Authority for a VAAC Help America Vote Act of 2002 (HAVA) requires Elections Officials to provide individuals with disabilities, including visual impairments, with a voting system at each polling site that allows the voter to vote privately and independently. California Elections Code Section 12280 requires that when designating polling places the Registrar shall undertake necessary measures in the location to ensure that the polling place meet the guidelines promulgated by the Secretary of State for accessibility by the disabled.

VAAC Membership Disabled Community Senior Citizens Veterans At-Large Membership will include, but shall not be limited to, representation from the following: Disabled Community Senior Citizens Veterans At-Large

VAAC Membership (800) 435-0509 (559) 675-7720 To become a member of the Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee, complete the application form provided at the end of the meeting or you may contact the Elections Division to receive an application by mail. (800) 435-0509 (559) 675-7720