October 25, 2017

Contact: Mark Church, Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder
Alternate: Jim Irizarry, Assistant Chief Elections Officer & Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder

(Redwood City, CA) San Mateo County Chief Elections Officer Mark Church today announced the release of a new Accessible Vote by Mail system for disabled and visually impaired voters. The new Accessible Vote by Mail system allows disabled and visually impaired voters to access and mark their ballot in a screen-readable format using their personal computers.

San Mateo County will be the first county in the State of California to deploy an Accessible Vote by Mail system for disabled and visually impaired voters, as authorized under AB 2252 Remote Accessible Vote by Mail Systems.

“Once again, San Mateo County is at the forefront of expanding voting opportunities,” said Chief Elections Officer Church. “This time we are leading the way by improving voting accessibility for disabled and visually impaired voters”.

Voters using this system will log in online and download their ballot to a computer, mark their choices and then print the ballot. The ballot may be returned to the Registration & Elections Division in the postage-paid Vote by Mail envelope provided to the voter. Voters may also mail their ballot using a standard envelope, however, voters must affix a stamp to return the ballot to the Registration & Elections Division.

To ensure security and comply with California law, at no time can any voter’s voting choices or marked ballot be transmitted over the internet. During ballot marking, the system does not allow data to be transmitted over the internet. Only a paper ballot will be produced, and a voter’s selections will not be stored.

The Accessible Vote by Mail system is available immediately during the early voting period for the November 7, 2017 Election, through Election Day. Access to the Accessible Vote by Mail system is limited to voters with disabilities, overseas voters, military personnel, and military spouses. These voters can access their ballot through the Accessible Vote by Mail link at https://www.shapethefuture.org/MyElectionMaterials/. Additional information, including recommended operating systems and compatible technology, is also available on www.shapethefuture.org. Voters can also call 650.312.5222 or email registrar@smcare.org to request that a link to their ballot be emailed to them, or for assistance in accessing and using the system.

For more information on upcoming elections and the new Accessible Vote by Mail system, please call 650.312.5222, visit www.shapethefuture.org or follow @smcvote on Twitter.


The press release is displayed in its original format. San Mateo County Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder & Elections website now resides at www.smcacre.org

Related Contacts

Mark Church

Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder and Chief Elections Officer
555 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063-1665Get Directions
Phone:
650.363.4988

Jim Irizarry

Asst. Assessor-County Clerk-Recorder & Asst. Chief Elections Officer
555 County Center
Redwood City, CA 94063-1665Get Directions
Phone:
650.363.4988