Marin County Elections Department
Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee (VAAC)
Thursday, April 13, 2023, 10 AM
Zoom Meeting
Minutes
Attendees
Laney Davidson, Marin County Disability Access Program
Colleen Ksanda, Sr. Program Coordinator
Suzanne Levine, Marin County Information Services and Technology Digital Accessibility
Fred Nisen, Disability Rights California
Lynda Roberts, Registrar of Voters
Megan Stone, Elections Outreach Coordinator
Danny Straub, Elections Outreach Coordinator
Welcome
Lynda Roberts opened the meeting and welcomed those in attendance.
Poll Observation Report—Asian Americans Advancing Justice / Asian Law Caucus
Ms. Roberts reviewed the report produced by the AAAJ / ALC volunteer poll monitors in the November 2022 General Election. The volunteers visited 10 locations (50% of the vote centers) and, overall, the Marin County operation of vote centers was well done. The report included a review of accessibility since AAAJ / ALC works with Disability Rights California. Volunteers noted an absence of signature guides for voters with visual impairment, and also noted that some workers asked for more training on the ballot marking devices (BMDs). Otherwise, observations were very positive.
The Elections Department has not provided signature guides in the past because they were never requested. The standard has been to provide needed supplies to keep the volume manageable.
Discussion
One member noted that other counties’ election workers have requested more training on the ballot marking device—how to set it up and how to use it, especially when a voter gets stuck in the process and needs help from an election worker. Other counties have also received feedback about providing materials, such as the signature guides. The best practice is to have tools available to assist voters with disabilities and not wait to see if such tools are requested. Marin County has an aging population that may need assistive devices.
A member suggested creating a basic step-by-step guide to help voters and workers use the ballot marking device. A copy of the guide could be posted next to each unit.
Disability Rights California works with Asian Law Caucus regarding accessibility at vote centers / polling places.
Voter’s Choice Act—Election Administration Plan Revisions
The Voter’s Choice Act requires a review of the Election Administration Plan (EAP) two years after implementation and every four years thereafter, which includes the outreach and education plan. Ms. Roberts, Ms. Stone and Mr. Straub are working on a revised draft with assistance from Liz Acosta, who was the project leader during the 2019-2021 implementation phase. Ms. Roberts reviewed the process and timeline:
- Advisory committees will have an opportunity to review the first draft and provide feedback.
- A preview copy will be sent to the Secretary of State for feedback before holding the public workshop.
- The department plans to hold the public workshop during the summer and will post a copy of the revised draft online for the required 14-day public comment period prior to the workshop.
- The final version will be posted online and submitted to the Secretary of State for approval by the September 7 deadline.
Discussion
Mr. Straub is editing the outreach portion of the plan and Ms. Acosta will help draft the plan based on his changes. The revised plan will include common-sense changes based on the size of the election (i.e., statewide election or local election) and will provide needed flexibility—a lesson learned in 2022. Advisory committees will have the opportunity to review the revised plan before a preview draft is presented to the Secretary of State’s office.
Regarding a public “workshop”, one member pointed out that the requirement for the revised plan is to hold a public meeting to consider the draft plan and to accept public comments. Workshops are held during the initial implementation of the Voter’s Choice Act to consult with various communities when drafting the plan; workshops are not required for two-year and four-year updates. Elections Code section 4005(a)(10)(C-G) specifies the requirements to hold a public meeting to consider revisions to the first plan.
Vote Center Turnout
Ms. Roberts reviewed a chart showing in-person voting in the first three elections using the new vote center model.
- Vote centers in Marin County were implemented starting with the June 2022 primary election.
- Voter turnout was low during the early period 4-10 days before the election.
- Voter turnout was higher starting 3 days before the election, with the highest turnout on Election Day.
- Other vote center counties have this same pattern.
Discussion
It is a challenge to find locations available for 11 days; first-choice locations typically are not available. There is also a concern that election workers will lose excitement about participating because there are so many days of having no voters.
One member pointed out the reasoning from the disability community for a 10-day early voting period is to help accommodate transportation challenges that voters with disabilities must navigate to access regional vote centers versus neighborhood polling places. The extra days also help vote center workers adjust and resolve any problems early while voting is slow.
Review Ballot Flowchart
Ms. Roberts reviewed the new ballot flowchart that shows the complexity of processing ballots. Staff intentionally created a detailed flowchart based on observers’ questions from the November 2022 election. The goal is to provide more comprehensive information about ballot processing, which adds transparency to the process. However, a simplified version of the flowchart will be created to post online. The team will ask for committee feedback prior to finalizing the chart.
Ms. Levine said her team will be happy to work with the department on a design.
Review Ballot Marking Device (BMD) Cabinets
Ms. Roberts showed a photo of cabinets designed to hold ballot marking devices. She asked for feedback about their accessibility.
Members pointed out that the cabinets are not universally accessible due to the lack of clear knee and toe space beneath the unit. A person in a wheelchair would be required to turn sidewise to use the BMD. One may suggest that a voter in a wheelchair could use the ATI device, but this option would not work for people who are unable to hold the device in their lap.
Quarterly Meeting Schedule
Ms. Roberts asked for feedback about the current meeting schedule, which is the second Thursday of January, April, July, and October. Members agreed that the current schedule still works and Zoom is the preferred location.
Closing Remarks/Next Meeting
Ms. Roberts thanked everyone for participating. The next quarterly meeting will be held on Thursday, July 13, 10-11 a.m. via Zoom.
The meeting adjourned at 11 a.m.