This article shall be known, and may be cited, as the Visually Impaired Voter Assistance Act of 1989.
Voter QualificationsVisually Impaired Voters
Section § 2050
This law is called the Visually Impaired Voter Assistance Act of 1989. It aims to help voters who are visually impaired.
Visually Impaired Voter Assistance 1989
Section § 2051
This law defines “visually impaired” as someone whose best-seeing eye cannot see better than 20/200 with glasses or contacts or someone whose vision is limited to a field of 20 degrees or less.
As used in this article, “visually impaired” means a person having central visual acuity not to exceed 20-200 in the better eye, with corrected lenses, or visual acuity greater than 20-200, but with a limitation in the field of vision such that the widest diameter of the visual field subtends at an angle of not greater than 20 degrees.
visually impaired definition central visual acuity better eye
Section § 2052
This law aims to ensure that people who are visually impaired can exercise their fundamental right to vote. It focuses on increasing public awareness about the availability of audio recordings of the state's voter information guide and improving how these recordings are delivered to visually impaired voters.
It is the intent of the Legislature to promote the fundamental right to vote of visually impaired individuals, and to make efforts to improve public awareness of the availability of state voter information guide audio recordings and improve their delivery to these voters.
voting rights visually impaired voters public awareness
Section § 2053
This law requires the California Secretary of State to establish a Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee aimed at enhancing election accessibility for voters with disabilities. The committee advises the Secretary of State and suggests improvements, such as creating guidelines to reach disabled voters, improving the accessibility of election materials, and promoting resources like the voter registration line and library services for those with disabilities. These efforts include ensuring electronic materials meet federal accessibility standards and encouraging training for poll workers to better assist disabled voters. Members of the committee do not get paid but can be reimbursed for their expenses.
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)CA Elections Code § 2053(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)CA Elections Code § 2053(b) The committee shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Secretary of State and shall do all of the following:
(1)CA Elections Code § 2053(b)(1) Establish guidelines for reaching as many voters with disabilities as practical.
(2)CA Elections Code § 2053(b)(2) Make recommendations for improving the availability and accessibility of election materials, including, but not limited to, state voter information guides, county voter information guides, and vote-by-mail ballots, and their delivery in print or alternative formats to voters with disabilities.
(3)CA Elections Code § 2053(b)(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)CA Elections Code § 2053(b)(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)CA Elections Code § 2053(b)(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)CA Elections Code § 2053(b)(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)CA Elections Code § 2053(b)(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)CA Elections Code § 2053(b)(8) Promote the use of plain language and alternative formats for election materials.
(9)CA Elections Code § 2053(b)(9) Make recommendations for materials to train poll workers on issues related to serving voters with
disabilities and providing accessible voting locations.
(c)CA Elections Code § 2053(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.
Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee voters with disabilities election accessibility
