Section 2053 Of Article 3. Visually Impaired Voters From California Elections Code >> Division 2. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 3.
2053
. The Secretary of State shall establish a Voting Accessibility
Advisory Committee. The Secretary of State shall consult with the
committee and consider the committee's recommendations related to
improving the accessibility of elections for voters with
disabilities. The Secretary of State may implement the committee's
recommendations as he or she deems appropriate.
(a) The committee shall consist of the Secretary of State, his or
her designees, and additional members appointed by the Secretary of
State. The appointees shall have demonstrated experience with
accessibility requirements for voters with disabilities or be a
county elections official.
(b) The committee shall serve in an advisory capacity to the
Secretary of State and shall do all of the following:
(1) Establish guidelines for reaching as many voters with
disabilities as practical.
(2) Make recommendations for improving the availability and
accessibility of election materials, including, but not limited to,
sample ballots, voter information pamphlets, and vote-by-mail
ballots, and their delivery in print or alternative formats to voters
with disabilities.
(3) Increase the distribution of public service announcements
identifying the availability of election materials for voters with
disabilities at least 45 days before any federal, state, and local
election.
(4) Make recommendations for improving the accessibility of
election materials made available on Internet Web sites that are in
compliance with the most current, ratified standards under Section
508 of the federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. Sec. 794d),
as amended, and the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.0 adopted
by the World Wide Web Consortium for accessibility.
(5) Promote the Secretary of State's toll-free voter registration
telephone line for citizens needing voter registration information,
including information for individuals with disabilities, and the
California State Library and regional library services for
individuals who are unable to read conventional print due to a
visual, intellectual, learning, physical, or any other disability.
(6) Make recommendations for providing voters with disabilities
the same access and participation as is provided to other voters who
are not disabled, including the ability to vote privately and
independently.
(7) Establish subcommittees to further the scope and purposes of
the committee as they relate to improving voter services and access
for individuals with disabilities, including, but not limited to,
visually impaired voters and deaf or hard of hearing voters.
(8) Promote the use of plain language and alternative formats for
election materials.
(9) Make recommendations for materials to train poll workers on
issues related to serving voters with disabilities and providing
accessible voting locations.
(c) A member shall not receive compensation, but each member shall
be reimbursed for his or her reasonable and necessary expenses in
connection with service on the committee.