Tag: Voting

Planifique para votar: ¡el futuro de la comunidad con discapacidad depende de usted!

Disability Vote CaliforniaRegístrese para votar

Una elección presidencial en medio de una pandemia es un evento histórico. Agréguense los problemas en el servicio postal y está claro que las elecciones de este otoño serán diferentes a las que haya tenido nuestro país.

¿Qué podemos hacer los votantes para prepararnos?

  1.  Verificar su estado de registro de votante
  2. Informarse
  3. Establecer un plan
  4. Compartir su conocimiento

1. Verificar su estado de registro de votante

Cada votante de California recibirá su boleta de votación por correo este año. Esto significa que es más importante que nunca asegurarse de que su registro de votante esté actualizado. Afortunadamente, esto se puede hacer en línea en solo unos momentos. Haga clic en el texto vinculado a continuación para verificar su estado:

Verifique el estado de su registro como votante

2. Informarse

Hay mucha confusión sobre cómo vamos a votar este otoño. Esta guía incluye información sobre las opciones que tienen los votantes de California:

Las personas con discapacidad enfrentan desafíos únicos cuando accedemos a nuestro derecho al voto. Para obtener información sobre el voto accesible y el derecho al voto de las personas con discapacidades, visite ​www.DisabilityVoteCA.org

3. Establecer un plan

Una vez que se haya asegurado de que su registro de votante esté actualizado y haya leído la guía, tómese un tiempo para pensar qué funcionará mejor para usted este otoño. No existe una opción única que funcione para todos. Si no está seguro de cómo quiere votar, hable con amigos y familiares de confianza.

4. Comparta su conocimiento

La estructura de las próximas elecciones es nueva para todos. Al realizar los pasos 1 a 3, ahora está más informado que muchas personas en el estado.

Los líderes y las leyes por las que votamos tienen un impacto tremendo en las vidas de las personas con discapacidades, nuestras familias y la fuerza laboral que nos apoya. Por eso es de vital importancia compartir esta información con las personas en su vida y animarlas a hacer sus propios planes para votar este otoño.

Si tiene preguntas sobre cómo votar o si encuentra inaccesibilidad cuando vota, llame a la línea directa de asistencia al votante de Disability Rights California:

VOZ – 1.888.569.7955

TTY: 1.800.719.5798

 

Plan to Vote: The Future of the Disability Community Depends on You!

Disability Vote CaliforniaRegister to Vote

A presidential election in the middle of a pandemic is an historic event. Add problems at the postal service and it is clear that the election this fall will be unlike any our country has ever held.

What can we the voters do to prepare?

 

  1. Check your voter registration status
  2. Get informed
  3. Make a plan
  4. Share your knowledge

 

1. Check your voter registration status

Every California voter will receive their ballot in the mail this year. This means that it is more important than ever to make sure that your voter registration is up to date. Luckily this can be done online in just a few moments. Click the linked text below to check your status:

Check Your Voter Registration Status

 

2. Get Informed

There is a lot of confusion about how we will vote this fall. This guide includes information on the options that California’s voters have:

People with disabilities face unique challenges when we access our right to vote. To learn about accessible voting and the voting right of people with disabilities visit www.DisabilityVoteCA.org

 

3. Make a plan

Once you have made sure your voter registration is up to date and read the guide, take time to think about what will work best for you this fall. There is no one size fits all option that will work for everyone. If you are unsure of how you want to vote talk it over with trusted friends and family members.

 

4. Share your knowledge

The structure of the upcoming election is new for everyone. By doing steps 1 – 3 you are now more informed than many people in the state.

The leaders and laws that we vote for have a tremendous impact on the lives of people with disabilities, our families, and the workforce who support us. This is why it is critically important that you share this information with the people in your life and encourage them to make their own plans to vote this fall.

 

If you have questions about voting or if you encounter inaccessibility when you vote call the Disability Rights California Voter Assistance Hotline:
VOICE – 1.888.569.7955
TTY – 1.800.719.5798

Votar en una pandemia: explicación del plan de California

Existe mucha confusión en torno a cómo se llevará a cabo la votación en California en las próximas elecciones. La Oficina del Secretario de Estado y cada una de las ​58 Oficinas Electorales del Condado​ están trabajando incansablemente para garantizar que la votación en noviembre sea tan precisa como siempre, mientras se crean opciones simples para mantener seguros a los votantes durante la pandemia.

Este año, cada votante registrado de California recibirá su boleta de voto por correo. Esto es para darnos la opción de votar desde casa. La forma más fácil y segura de votar es simplemente llenar la boleta en casa y devolverla por correo. Si por alguna razón necesita o desea votar en persona, aún podrá hacerlo.

 

Consejos para votar desde casa:

  • Los sobres de devolución deben estar firmados por el votante registrado.​ Se comprobarán las firmas para verificar la identidad de cada votante. Este significa que no puede firmar por otra persona. Si usa un sello o marca una X cuando firma documentos oficiales, también debe firmar el sobre de su boleta de esa manera. Firmar el exterior del sobre de la boleta evitará el fraude electoral.
  • Si usa tecnología de asistencia como un lector de pantalla, puede comunicarse con la Oficina de Elecciones de su condado y solicitar Voto por correo de acceso remoto (RAVBM, por sus siglas en inglés).​ Este es un formato disponible en todos los condados de California que permite a las personas usar su propia tecnología de asistencia para leer y marcar su boleta en sus computadoras. Significa que puede votar de forma privada e independiente en casa. RAVBM NO es una votación en línea.
  • Las boletas deben tener matasellos del 3 de noviembre o antes. Dada la desaceleración actual de las oficinas de correos, las boletas de California que tienen matasellos del 3 de noviembre o antes, pueden llegar hasta 17 días después del 3 de noviembre y aún se contarán.
  • Si no desea enviar su boleta por correo, ¡no tiene que hacerlo! Puede completarlo en casa, colocarlo en el sobre, firmar el sobre y luego llevarlo a un buzón seguro cerca de usted. Cada condado tendrá buzones que estarán abiertos al público durante al menos unos días antes de las elecciones. Su boleta le explicará dónde está el buzón cerca de usted, o puede comunicarse con la Oficina de Elecciones de su condado para solicitar información.

 

Si desea o necesita votar en persona, puede hacerlo:

  • Cada condado tendrá lugares de votación operando al menos tres días antes del 3 de noviembre.​ Algunos condados tendrán centros de votación en funcionamiento durante más tiempo. El tiempo variará de un condado a otro, pero el 3 de noviembre será el último día para votar en persona en todas partes.
  • Muchos condados están ajustando las ubicaciones de sus centros de votación a sitios que son más seguros durante la pandemia que los sitios que han utilizado en el pasado.​ Si va a votar en persona, revise su boleta para encontrar su lugar de votación o busque su lugar de votación en el​ sitio web de la Secretaría de Estado​.
  • Algunas personas necesitarán votar en persona para usar un equipo de votación accesible específico.​ Cada condado tendrá equipo de votación accesible (junto con cabinas de votación estándar) disponible el día de las elecciones.
  • Algunas personas necesitarán votar en persona si pierden o estropean su boleta.​ Los lugares de votación podrán emitir boletas provisionales si necesita un reemplazo.
  • Algunas personas prefieren votar en persona.​ ¡Esto esta bien! Cada condado está trabajando arduamente para establecer lugares de votación que sean lo más seguros posible durante la pandemia. Se espera que usted siga las pautas de distanciamiento social cuando vote, pero tiene derecho a votar en persona si así lo desea.

Con suerte, esto ayudará a aclarar algo de la confusión. Como siempre, vuelva a consultar aquí para obtener más información sobre las votaciones, y visite ​www.DisabilityVoteCA.org​ para obtener información detallada sobre los votantes con discapacidades de California.

Revise el Estado de su Registro de Votante

Looking for Information that is Not Partisan? Easy Voter Guides Now Available from the League of Women Voters

Each election cycle the League of Women Voters puts together an Easy Voter Guide. An easy to understand guide to the candidates and ballot measure that will be on our ballots. The information in the guide is not partisan and the guide is available in 5 languages. Right now you can order physical copies on their website. Next month they will be available in PDF format for all to use.

If you think your chapter or community will benefit from physical copies of the Easy Voter Guide order them today at this link: https://lwvcef-evg.square.site

Women’s Vote Centennial

Check Your Voter Registration Status

This month marks 100 years since the 19th amendment was ratified into law finally giving women the right to vote. The entire text of the amendment is two sentences long, it reads:

“The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.”

Women called suffragettes, and men who agreed with them, worked hard advocating for women to have the right to vote since the country began. It took nearly 150 years for the suffragettes to succeed. The right to vote, the two sentences of the 19th amendment, are so important that generations of American’s fought for them. People, especially BIPoC, transgender people, and people with disabilities, are still working to ensure that everyone who is eligible to vote can do so easily and safely.

The people working on voting rights today, just like the suffragettes before, understand that that voting is a tremendously important way to ensure our rights. Who and what we vote for affects our day-to-day lives. Funding the programs we rely on and making new laws that will help or hinder the goals we set for ourselves. The suffragettes worked tirelessly to ensure voting rights for women. On this, the 100th year since their goal was realized let’s celebrate their victory by taking the time to learn about the candidates and ballot measures we are voting for. Then we must vote like our lives depend on it!

Check Your Voter Registration Status

Voting in a Pandemic: California’s Plan Explained

Check Your Voter Registration Status

There is a lot of confusion surrounding how voting will take place in California in the upcoming election. The Secretary of State’s Office and each of the 58 County Elections Offices are working tirelessly to ensure that the vote in November will be as accurate as ever while creating simple options to keep voters safe during the pandemic.

This year each registered California voter will have our ballot mailed to us. This is to give us the option of voting from home. The safest and easiest way to vote is simply to fill out the ballot at home and return it in the mail. If for any reason you need or want to vote in person you will still be able to do so.

Tips on Voting from Home:

  • The return envelopes must be signed by the registered voter. Signatures will be checked to verify the identity of each voter. This means that you cannot sign for someone else. If you use a stamp or mark an X when you sign official documents, you must sign your ballot envelope that way too. Signing the outside of the ballot envelope will prevent voter fraud.
  • If you use assistive technology like a screen reader you can contact your County Elections Office and request Remote Accessible Vote-By-Mail (RAVBM). This is a format available in all California counties which allows people to use their own assistive technology to read and mark their ballot on their computers. It means that you can vote privately and independently at home. RAVBM is NOT online voting.
  • Ballots must be postmarked on or before November 3rd. Given the current slowdown of post offices California ballots that are postmarked on or before November 3rd can arrive up to 17 days after November 3rd and will still be counted.
  • If you do not want to mail your ballot you do not have to! You can fill it out at home, place it in the envelope, sign the envelope, and then take it to a secure drop box near you. Each county will have drop box locations which will be open to the public for at least a few days before the election. Your ballot will explain where the drop box is near you, or you can contact your County Elections Office to inquire.

If You Want or Need to Vote in Person You Can:

  • Every county will have polling places operating at least three days leading up to November 3rd. Some counties will have polling place operating for even longer. The time will vary from county to county, but November 3rd will be the last day to vote in person everywhere.
  • Many counties are adjusting their polling place locations to sites which are safer during the pandemic than sites they have used in the past. If you will be voting in person, please check your ballot to find your polling place or find your polling place by checking the Secretary of State’s Website.
  • Some people will need to vote in person to use specific accessible voting equipment. Each county will have accessible voting equipment (along with standard voting booths) available on election day.
  • Some people will need to vote in person if they lose or mess up their ballot. Polling places will be able to issue provisional ballots if you need a replacement.
  • Some people prefer to vote in person. This is fine! Each county is working hard to set up polling places which are as safe as possible during the pandemic. You will be expected to follow social distancing guidelines when you vote, but it is your right to vote in person if you would like to.

Hopefully this helps clear up some of the confusion. As always check back here for more voting information, and check www.DisabilityVoteCA.org for in depth information for California voters with disabilities.

Check Your Voter Registration Status

91 Days Until the Election: Are You Vote Ready?

Check Your Voter Registration Status

This year due to the COVID-19 pandemic every registered voter in California will receive their ballot in the mail. While this does not mean that you have to vote-by-mail*, it does mean that it is more important than ever to be sure that your voter registration is up to date. After all, how will your ballot get to you if your address isn’t up to date? Fortunately, you can check and update your voter registration online at the California Secretary of State’s website.

When you check your voter registration status you can make changes to your address, name (if you have legally changed it), language preference, and political party affiliation. On the same webpage you can also register to vote for the first time if you are a qualified voter. If you will turn 18 on or before November 3rd you can pre-register to vote on the same page.

Even if you’re fairly certain that your voter registration is up to date, checking online is fast and easy, so please check your status just to be sure! And please keep checking the Monday Morning Memo for more information on voting in the upcoming weeks and months.

Check Your Voter Registration Status

*More info on how to vote by mail, drop off your ballots, and in person voting coming soon.

Disability Vote California: Staying Engaged After National Disability Voter Registration Week

Register to Vote

As you know, last week was National Disability Voter Registration Week. Individuals and organizations across the country engaged potential voters with disabilities online and within their communities. It was a wonderful example of what can be accomplished when we all work together towards a common goal. In this case, the goal of full participation for all eligible voters with disabilities in the November 3rd presidential election and beyond. Obviously, this goal cannot be accomplished in one short week. It is up to us to keep the momentum going! Visit DisabilityVoteCA.org for resources and information on the rights of California’s voters with disabilities, and stay tuned for more voter engagement activities and opportunities here in the Monday Morning Memo.

 

National Disability Voter Registration Week – What are You Voting For?

Register to Vote

 

This week is National Disability Voter Registration Week! This is great news as there are approximately 4 million people with disabilities in the state of California, more than enough to make our voices heard at the polls if all of us who are able register and vote for the candidates and laws that we think are best.

Your vote is your voice in democracy. As the video above shows, there are a lot of issues facing people with disabilities right now. Voting for the candidates and laws that reflect your values is an essential way to ensure that your government deals with these issues in the ways that you would like them to.

Sometimes voters with disabilities face barriers to voting. To learn about voting accessibility and rights for California voters with disabilities visit www.DisabilityVoteCA.org.

It is important for every person who is eligible to vote. You can help by registering yourself to vote, and this week especially, encourage every member of the disability community to register to vote. We can all use our voices in our democracy by voting on November 3rd.

Remote Accessible Vote-By-Mail Information

People with disabilities face challenges and barriers when voting and are often underrepresented at the polls. We have a unique opportunity to dramatically increase the disability vote in the upcoming November 3rd presidential election, as the state of California will be voting-by-mail. In May of this year, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order N-64-20, which, among other things, orders the November 3, 2020, General Election to be conducted as an all-mail ballot election. Accordingly, all registered voters in California will receive a vote-by-mail ballot in the mail prior to the election.

Voting-by-mail will make voting easier for people with many types of disabilities. Yet people with vision or dexterity disabilities may find the standard vote-by-mail ballot inaccessible. Fortunately, Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail (RAVBM) is now available in all California counties. RAVBM empowers people with vision or dexterity disabilities to vote privately and independently in the safety of their homes by using their own screen readers or adaptive technologies. To learn about RAVBM please read this fact sheet from Disability Rights California. The fact sheet is also available in Spanish.

To request RAVBM voters will need to contact their local county elections office, so if you think this is something that will help you or someone you know please contact your county elections office soon.

Visit DisabilityVoteCA.org for more information on accessible voting.

 

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