[NFBC-SFV] LA County accessible voting options

[Julian]

Hello All,


I have found several options that appear to make it possible for a Blind 
person to vote independently or with minimal assistance in the upcoming 
election. I have personally chosen to try option 1 and if unsuccessful, 
as a back up, option 2 and see which one ultimately works best for me. 
Please note that you must be registered to vote in LA County in order to 
use these options. Good luck and make your vote count!


1. Remote Accessible Vote by Mail Ballot (RAVBM)

This option allows you to fill out a Vote by Mail ballot (which replaces 
the one you received in the mail) on your computer or mobile device. You 
then review your choices, print it out, put it into the official 
envelope provided to you with the mail in ballot that you were sent, 
sign and seal the envelope, then either put in the mail or drop off at 
either an official ballot drop box or polling station. Your mail in 
ballot must be post marked or dropped off by no later than November 3 
2020 in order to be counted.


RAVBM  Website:

https://ravbm.lavote.net/


2. Sample Ballot / Poll Pass

This option allows you to fill out and print an electronic Sample Ballot 
/ Poll pass that you bring with you to a polling station. This process 
is similar and just as accessible as in option 1. The only difference is 
that with this option, you must go to a polling station, find and use 
the voting machine which may require asking for assistance from a poll 
worker. Once there you, check in and receive your official paper ballot, 
follow instruction on marking device to insert your ballot, when 
prompted select "Poll Pass" , scan the Poll Pass you printed at home to 
transfer your selection, check your selection to make any final changes, 
follow instruction to print your ballot then cast it.


LA County Plan to Vote website:

https://plan.lavote.net/


3. The old fashioned way:

If you prefer to vote in person at a polling station, there are some 
important things to know. The bad news is that the local polling station 
you may have used for years may no longer be in use. LA County has 
consolidated polling stations and spaced them out further apart so in 
some cases you may have to travel farther than what you were accustomed 
to doing previously. The good news is that you can go to any polling 
station in the county even if it's not the one in your area but might be 
closer to a place, such as work, that you may frequent. Also, most 
voting machines are iPad based and now, or supposed to be, accessible to 
people with disabilities including blind and low vision. The biggest 
problem I had voting in the Primaries was the overly helpful poll worker 
who insisted on setting up the machine for me. This may seem harmless 
but because they started the process using the touch screen interface, 
the accessible part wouldn't function correctly when I attempted to use 
the tactile interface. After a pretty heated debate, I was finally 
successful in convincing the well intensioned poll worker to let me set 
it up myself using the tactile interface. Additionally, I enabled the 
screen curtain quickly which also discouraged further interference. Your 
mileage may vary but keep this experience in mind should you encounter a 
similar situation.


Again, good luck and what ever you do, remember to vote and let your 
voice be heard. If any of you have questions or need further 
clarification, feel free to call me: 818-794-9554



Julian