Voters With Specific Needs

Dear Citizen,

The Secretary of State’s goal is 100 percent participation of eligible citizens in our elections. The health and vitality of a democracy rest on the “consent of the governed,” and it is through the participation of every citizen that we achieve this goal. California has been very proactive in reducing or eliminating barriers to voting: All citizens can register and vote by mail, and counties are required to ensure that voting is accessible to persons with disabilities. The information in this guide describes some of the voting rights of persons with disabilities. Please share it with your family and friends. Working together we can move toward a barrier-free election system.

California has a history of meeting the needs of voters who are disabled, with many laws and programs to ensure equal access to all phases of our democratic system.

VOTING EQUIPMENT: Both state and federal law require that all voters, including person with disabilities, be able to cast their ballots privately and independently and new voting equipment has been specifically designed for this purpose.

POLLING PLACES: State and federal law also require polling places to be accessible to persons with disabilities, with some exceptions. Local election officials inspect each site and often make temporary alterations to homes, libraries, garages, churches, businesses, schools, or other locations in order to make them accessible to voters on Election Day.

SAMPLE BALLOT DESIGNATIONS: State law requires the county elections official to mail a “sample ballot” to each registered voter. This publication includes a symbol, usually located on the back cover next to the address of the voter’s assigned polling place that indicates whether the polling place is accessible to voters with disabilities. If your polling place is not accessible, you may call your county elections office and request to be assigned to another polling place that is accessible.

CURBSIDE VOTING: If a polling place is not accessible, you may approach as near as possible to the voting area and request curbside voting. Elections officials will bring you the voting materials, whether you are actually at a curb, in a car, or otherwise located outside the polls.

POLL WORKER TRAINING: State law requires that persons who work in a polling place on Election Day receive training, including instruction on the rights of voters with disabilities. Poll workers also learn about issues confronting voters who have disabilities, including access barriers and the need for reasonable accommodation.

STATE BALLOT PAMPHLET CASSETTE TAPES: The Secretary of State produces cassette tapes of the State Ballot Pamphlet to allow blind and visually-impaired voters access to the titles and summaries, impartial analyses, and pro and con ballot measure arguments and rebuttals. These audio voters’ handbooks are available at no cost by calling 1.800.345.VOTE.

ASSISTANCE IN VOTING: Although new voting equipment is required to enable voters to cast a ballot privately and independently, if you want help, or if for any reason you are unable to mark your ballot yourself, you may choose up to two people to help you cast your vote. The persons may not be your employer or your employer’s agent, or your labor union leader or agent.

NEIGHBORHOOD PRECINCTS: California has a law limiting precincts to 1,000 registered voters. By locating a polling place in every neighborhood, persons who cannot travel far from home or who are reluctant to venture into unfamiliar neighborhoods are able to vote with comfort and security.

ABSENTEE VOTING: Any registered voter in California may vote by mail. To vote by mail, complete and return the application included with your sample ballot. Any application is acceptable, however, if it contains your printed name and residence address, the address where you want to receive your absentee ballot, your signature, and the name and date of the election for which you want an absentee ballot. After you vote your ballot, mail it back to your county elections official. Your voted ballot must be received by the time the polls close on Election Day, which is 8pm in California. Do not forget postage. Apply early.

LATE ABSENTEE BALLOT REQUESTS: If, in the seven days before the election, you find you will be unable to vote in person on election day, you may still request an absentee ballot. You must make a written request, signed under penalty of perjury, and deliver it to the county elections official.

PERMANENT ABSENTEE VOTING: The law permits any voter to apply to be a “permanent absentee voter” and to automatically receive an absentee ballot for each election. A voter’s permanent absentee voter status will only be canceled if he or she fails to vote in a statewide general election.

SECRETARY OF STATE’S WEBSITE: For more information on California elections, visit the Secretary of State’s website at www.ss.ca.gov. You’ll find topics ranging from How to Become a Candidate to How to Register to Vote. You can also read the Voter Information Guide and Ballot Pamphlet on-line and get real-time election results on election night. Visit often, as the site is frequently updated and improved.

General Voter Eligibility Information

You are eligible to register to vote in California if you are:

• 18 years of age or older by Election Day
• a U.S. citizen
• a resident of California
• not in prison or on parole for conviction of a felony, and
• not involuntarily confined in a mental hospital because of having pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity, judicially determined to be incompetent to stand trial, convicted as a sex offender with a mental disability, or otherwise have been convicted of a felony and are being treated at a state hospital.

Register to Vote

Additional Assistance

For additional assistance with voter registration, please contact the Secretary of State's office at any of the following toll-free numbers:

• English: 1-800-345-VOTE
• Spanish: 1-800-232-VOTA
• Chinese: 1-800-339-2857
• Vietnamese: 1-800-339-8163
• Japanese: 1-800-339-2865
• Tagalog: 1-800-339-2957
• Korean: 1-866-575-1558