VOTING ACCESSIBILITY ADVISORY COMMITTEE (VAAC)

The Yuba County Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee (VAAC) is under the direction of the Registrar of Voters and includes elections staff and community members who advise, assist and make recommendations to facilitate accessible voting. 

NEXT MEETING:

DATE: Friday, July 10, 2026

TIME: 10:00 a.m.

LOCATION: Zoom 

CONTACT: Call (530) 749-7855 for more information or to sign up to participate.

Previous VAAC Meeting Agendas & Minutes

VOTING BY MAIL

Voting by Mail gives all registered voters the opportunity to vote without having to travel to a voting location. Voters with disabilities can request access to a Remote Accessible Vote by Mail Ballot by emailing the elections department at [email protected] or calling (530) 749-7855.

More information about Voting by Mail.

ACCESSIBLE VOTING

Under State and Federal law, all voters must be given the same opportunity for access and participation in the voting process.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires voters with disabilities have access to:

  • Accessible parking
  • An accessible route to the entrance
  • An accessible entrance
  • An accessible route to the voting area
  • Voting procedures
  • Voting machines

The Help America Vote Act (HAVA) requires:

  • Voting locations are easy to get to and to use.
  • People who are blind or have problems seeing get the help they need.
  • Voting is private and personal.
  • Each polling location has an accessible voting machine.

ACCESSIBLE VOTER INFORMATION GUIDES

The Secretary of State's Office provides multiple alternative versions of the State Voter Information Guide. Formats to include audio, large print, and ASL videos can be found on the Secretary of State website once the state voter guide is available.

If you or someone you know is interested in receiving copies of either the compact disc, or large-print version of the State Voter Information Guide free of charge, please call the Secretary of State's Elections Division at (916) 657-2166.

To access the State Voter Information Guide, please visit: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/voter-information-guides/

  • Select the election date/name
  • Choose the Audio/Large Print tab.

VOTING AT HOME / VOTE BY MAIL

All registered voters are mailed a ballot 29 days prior to each election. Voters can vote their Vote by Mail ballot in the convenience of their own home and return their ballot by mail (postage is prepaid using the return ballot envelope received in your Official Ballot packet). Voters may also choose to return their voted ballot in-person at our office, any polling place in California on Election Day, or ballot drop box.

HOLES IN THE BALLOT ENVELOPES

The two holes on either side of the signature line are to assist visually impaired voters. By using these tactile cues, the voter can find the signature line by touch and sign their name between the holes.

REMOTE ACCESSIBLE VOTE BY MAIL (RAVBM)

While Remote Accessible Vote by Mail (RAVBM) was designed for voters with disabilities, any voter can request to access a Remote RAVBM ballot by calling our office at 530-749-7855. The RAVBM system is compatible with assistive technology, however not a necessity. With the RAVBM system voters require access to a printer and must print their ballot and wrap around envelope sheet provided within the instructions (or use the return ballot envelope provided in their Vote by Mail packet), sign where indicated on the envelope and return by mail, in-person at our office, any polling place in California on Election Day, or ballot drop box.

ASL Resource:  Remote Assistance Vote-by-Mail (RAVBM) YouTube

VOTER UNABLE TO SIGN THEIR BALLOT

If a voter is unable to sign their name and has no other legal mark, they may mark and “X” best they can on the signature line in front of a witness and have the witness attest by signing their name below on the Witness, sign here line of the ballot return envelope.

AUTHORIZING SOMEONE ELSE TO RETURN YOUR BALLOT

Voters may authorize another person to return their ballot. When doing so, the authorized person should print name and relation to the voter and sign the ballot return envelope under Authorized Agent.

NO SIGNATURE / NON-MATCHING SIGNATURE ON BALLOT RETURN ENVELOPE

When voters are informed the signature on their ballot return envelope did not match the signature of record on their voter registration affidavit (non-matching) or there was no signature their ballot cannot be counted until it has been cured. To “Cure” the signature voters must complete a signature verification statement signed by the voter and returned within the designated timeframe prior to the completion of canvass. The signature will then be compared to the voters record again for verification. It is important voters sign as they did when registering to vote to ensure their ballot will count.

Completed Signature Verification Statements can be returned by:

  • Mail to the Elections Office at 915 8th Street Suite 107, Marysville, CA 95901
  • Drop off in person to the Elections Office, any polling place on Election Day, or any ballot drop box before the close of the polls at 8:00 p.m. Election Day.
  • Email to [email protected]
  • Fax at (530) 749-7854

CURBSIDE VOTING

Curbside voting is available for voters requesting additional assistance. Each polling place has a designated curbside voting space available. Voters only need to call the number posted on the sign to notify a worker at that location that they are ready to vote. A worker will assist the voter in getting a ballot without having to leave the vehicle.

ACCESSIBLE VOTING EQUIPMENT

Every polling location is required to have a voting device that is accessible for all voters. This includes features like audio ballots, large print/zoom features, and height and tilt adjustments on the screens. Please let a poll worker know if you have questions or need assistance with voting.

Yuba County uses Dominion's ImageCast X (ICX) Ballot Marking Device. Each poll site will have at least one unit so voters can mark their ballot independently and privately.

This device allows any voter to navigate their ballot using features such as:

  • Options to change the text size and contrast on the tablet
  • Audio Tactile Interface Keypad (ATI) with Braille
  • Headphones and Audio Instructions in English and Spanish
  • Privacy Mask, for voters with low vision to ensure their votes are kept private as they use the Audio Instructions
  • Ability for a voter to bring in their own Paddle or Sip and Puff assistive device

This machine does not count votes.  After the voter confirms their selections on the "Review" screen, the voter must print their ballot selections and place in the ballot box in order for their ballot to count.

ASSISTANCE AT THE VOTING LOCATION

If you need assistance, you may bring someone with you to help you vote, or you may ask for assistance from a poll worker. You may ask anyone to help you vote, except for the following:

  • Your employer
  • An agent of your employer
  • An agent of your union

You may also get help marking your ballot from a trained poll worker. Whoever helps you vote cannot tell you how to mark your ballot or provide information to others about how you voted.

MARKING YOUR BALLOT FROM HOME

Voters with disabilities can request and receive access to the Remote Accessible Vote by Mail System. The Remote Accessible Vote by Mail System allows voters with disabilities to download and mark their correct ballot privately and independently using their own assistive technology.  Their marked ballot can then be printed and mailed to the Elections Office to be counted.

LANGUAGE ASSISTANCE

In precincts where the Secretary of State has determined that it is appropriate, the County Elections Office will have Hmong translation copies of the ballot posted at the polling place to use as a reference when casting a private ballot. In addition, any voter may choose to bring someone to assist them in voting.

RESOURCES

AMERICAN SIGN LANGUAGE VOTING RESOURCES

PREVIOUS AGENDAS AND MEETING MINUTES

Regular Meeting

Regular Meeting