A Service to Voters with Disabilities
November 8, 2016 Presidential General Election
The San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division wants to be sure that registered San Mateo County voters with disabilities are aware of the various options available to help them vote during the 29-day period leading up to each election, including the November 8, 2016 Presidential General Election. During this early voting period, registered voters with disabilities may participate in the standard Vote by Mail program, which allows voters to receive a ballot by mail and return that ballot by mail or in person. In addition, registered voters with disabilities have three other options:
- They may request to have a Vote by Mail ballot personally delivered to the voter’s home at a convenient time by Elections Division staff, who will assist them in marking and returning the ballot.
- They may request that Elections Division staff bring an accessible version of the County’s electronic voting machine to a convenient location such as the voter’s home for the voter to cast an electronic ballot privately and independently. This system includes audio ballot reading technology, uniquely shaped large buttons with Braille descriptions, a low height to permit wheelchair-based use, and use of adaptive interface devices such as sip-and-puff and tactile input switches to control the input. The Elections Division staff will set up the equipment and be available to assist the voter during the process.
- They may request that the Elections Division staff arrange free transportation for the voter to and from a Voting Center during the early voting period, where the County’s accessible electronic voting machine may be used by the voter.
These options are generally available from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., 7 days a week during the early voting period starting 29 days before the election. Special accommodations can be made for service outside established hours.
To use any of the options listed above, registered San Mateo County voters may contact the Registration & Elections Division at 1.650.312.5222 at least 24-hours in advance in order to schedule assistance. (Please note that there is a deadline for enrolling in the standard Vote by Mail program or to register to vote, but voters who are already registered in San Mateo County may request the three options listed above during the entire early voting period.)
These options only apply to San Mateo County registered voters. Other voters should contact their county elections official for assistance.
If you have questions or to schedule one of the options listed above, please contact the San Mateo County Registration & Elections Division at 1.650.312.5222 or registrar@smcare.org.