As of August 2, 2024, this bill requires the coordinator of elections to prepare an application to vote absentee by mail by which a registered voter with a print disability may request the administrator of elections to mail or electronically transmit an accessible ballot for voters with a print disability in accordance with the preferred method of transmission designated by the applicant. As used in this bill, a "print disability" means a disability that interferes with the person's ability to effectively read, write, or use printed materials, and includes blindness, low vision, and physical disabilities, such as paralysis, that interfere with such abilities.
This bill requires an application to vote absentee by mail under this bill to be made available on the secretary of state's website. An application to vote absentee by mail received from persons with print disabilities must be signed by the voter, under penalty of perjury, verifying that the information on the application is true and correct, that the voter is eligible to vote absentee by mail in the respective election for which the application is submitted, and that the voter has a print disability that prevents them from reading or marking an absentee by-mail paper ballot. However, this bill does not allow the voter to use an electronic or digital signature. A voter may submit an application in a manner authorized by law relative to voting absentee.
Upon determining the applicant is entitled to vote in the election, this bill requires the administrator of elections to transmit voting materials to the voter. After receiving the absentee voting materials and completing the ballot, the voter must sign the appropriate affidavit under penalty of perjury. The effect of the signature is to verify the information as true and correct and that the voter is eligible to vote in the election. The voter must then mail the ballot. However, this bill does not permit the transmission of a ballot by use of a fax machine or to permit a ballot which has been voted by an applicant to be electronically transmitted to the county election commission.