Voting Rights For Voters With Disabilities

Notice and preparation for elections - accessibility for voters with disabilities - independent and private marking of ballot - electronic voting device - appropriation. The secretary of state is required to establish procedures to enable a voter with a disability to independently and privately mark a ballot or use an electronic voting device that produces a paper record using nonvisual access, low vision access, or other assistive technology in order for the voter to vote in a mail ballot election. The secretary of state is required to include in the procedures a method by which a voter with a disability may request such a ballot.

A voter with a disability who requests that a ballot and balloting materials be sent by electronic transmission may choose electronic mail delivery or, if offered by the voter's jurisdiction, other electronic means. The designated election official in each jurisdiction charged with distributing a ballot and balloting materials is required to transmit the ballot and balloting materials to the voter using the means of transmission chosen by the voter. A voter with a disability who receives a ballot via electronic means must print the ballot and such ballot must be received by the election official in the applicable jurisdiction before the close of polls on the day of the election.

For the 2019-20 state fiscal year, $50,000 is appropriated from the department of state cash fund to the department of state for use by the information technology division.

(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)