SAN FRANCISCO ELECTIONS COMMISSION

RESOLUTION ON ACCESSIBLE VOTING EDUCATION

(Adopted by the San Francisco Elections Commission (7-0) on August 16, 2017.)

Resolution supporting informing all voters of the options for accessible voting.

	WHEREAS, The San Francisco Elections Commission (“Elections Commission”) supports the rights of all voters to vote independently and privately;
	WHEREAS, People with non-visible disabilities (e.g. people with low vision who do not use a white cane or seeing-eye dog; people with learning, developmental, or intellectual disabilities that are not apparent; and people with dexterity disabilities such as arthritis that affect their hands) may need to use accessible voting equipment;
	WHEREAS, Many voters may not realize that they can use and benefit from accessible voting equipment, even if they do not consider themselves to be disabled, such as seniors, people who have a temporary disability such as one resulting from surgery or wearing a cast, and people who cannot fully engage with a paper ballot such as when carrying a young child;
	WHEREAS, San Francisco is a county that provides all voters with paper ballots;
	WHEREAS, All of San Francisco’s polling places provide all voters with accessible voting equipment; and
	WHEREAS, All San Francisco voters with disabilities will have the option to receive an accessible vote-by-mail ballot by email, that voters can then mark using digital tools, print, and return in the mail to the Department of Elections; now, therefore be it
	RESOLVED, That it be the policy of the Elections Commission to support all voters being informed of the opportunities available to them to vote using accessible ballots or voting equipment, including when voting by mail.