Voter’s Choice Act: Big Changes Ahead for California Elections Presentation by Astrid Ochoa, Executive Director Future of California Elections (FoCE) February 21, 2018

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Our mission Improving the voter experience through election administration Plain language Accessibility Language access Voter registration FoCE is successful because of our model of collaboration among elections officials, reform advocates, civil rights and civic engagement groups

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FoCE work extends from policy to implementation Creating Spaces for Policy Discussions Coordinating Statewide Implementation Strategies Online Voter Registration Worked with the former SOS to make OVR accessible and available in 9 other languages Language Accessibility Advisory Committee & Voters Accessibility Advisory Committee Conducted policy education on the benefits of advisory bodies to the SoS. Today committees are formalized in the Elections Code Automated Voter Registration Advising the DMV and the Office of the California Secretary of State so that implementation serves underrepresented communities. Will lead voter education efforts on this reform.   Our current project

The Voter’s Choice Act Changes How We Vote All registered voters will receive their ballot in the mail. Voters will have 3 ways to return their ballot: By Mail Ballot Dropbox Vote Center This change will not be felt by the many voters who are already registered to vote by mail. However, it will be a BIG change for traditionally underrepresented voters that rely on their local polling places and may not have experience with mail voting.

Vote Centers offer additional services that will support traditionally underrepresented voters Voters can drop off their ballot at any Vote Center in the county Voters can vote in person at any Vote Center in the county for up to 11 days -- even on the weekends. Voters will be able to get assistance in their language, vote on accessible machines and register to vote

Voter’s Choice Act is designed to make voting more convenient and accessible You choose how you vote You choose when you vote You choose where you vote You get the support you need Voter education is key to successful implementation, especially for traditionally underrepresented communities

FoCE launched Voter’s Choice California to support successful implementation of the VCA The Voter’s Choice California network focuses on supporting voter education in counties and communities There are VCC hubs in each of the 5 counties and are defining their local strategy for implementation VCC partners share education strategies for outreach to African American voters, voters with disabilities and limited English proficient voters

Voters Choice California focuses on voter education through cross sector partnerships Work with elections officials and community groups to develop resources and materials to promote consistent and accurate messaging Coordinate with the Office of the SoS, elections officials and community groups on consistent translations within counties Build capacity of the field by inviting new partners to participate in VCA education and outreach. Launched grants program and issued a total of $348,000 in grants for 2018. Host monthly calls to provide trainings, share information, and discuss strategies for outreach to underrepresented populations Elevate effective practices currently being implemented across the state to capture lessons for 2020 implementation

Imagine a voting model that serves the voters of today and the voters of tomorrow

Future of California Elections Thank you Astrid Ochoa Executive Director Future of California Elections astrid@futureofcaelections.org www.voterschoice.org www.futureofcaelections.org @VotersChoiceCA @FutureCAElect Let’s connect!