ACTION ALERT - Oppose SB 370 Paper Ballot = Official Record = Lack of Access Legislation: SB 370 (Bowen) This bill will make the Voter Verified Paper Audit Trail the OFFICAL BALLOT for recount purposes. SO WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL? It’s in the PAPER! People who are blind or have low vision will not be able to VERIFY their vote on a paper ballot—whereas they could verify their vote electronically. If the OFFICIAL BALLOT is the paper ballot—then people with visual impairments will be denied equal access. Where is the bill now? This bill has passed the senate and the assembly; it is now on its way to the Governor. What Can We DO NOW? · Write a letter of opposition to the Governor—see sample letters below. · Call the Governor’s Office and tell him that you oppose SB 370 · Send the Governor an email telling him you oppose SB 370 · Make a visit to one of the Governor’s District Offices When does this need to happen? As soon as possible! No later than September 10th Send letters to: Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger Attn: Richard Costigan, Secretary of Legislative Affairs State Capitol Sacramento, CA 95814 To send an Electronic Mail please visit:http://www.govmail.ca.gov/ To make a call or visit: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger State Capitol Building Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: 916-445-2841 Fax: 916-445-4633 San Francisco Office 455 Golden Gate Avenue Suite 14000 San Francisco, CA 94102 Phone: 415-703-2218 Fax: 415-703-2803 Sample Letter from FREED: September 1, 2005 Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger State Capitol Sacramento CA, 95814 Re: Opposition for SB 370 (Bowen) Dear Governor Schwarzenegger, FREED Center for Independent Living provides a variety of independent living services for people with disabilities in Nevada, Yuba, Sutter, Sierra, and Colusa Counties. At FREED, we are deeply concerned about the rights of people with disabilities to be able to vote privately and independently, as non-disabled voters do. SB 370 designates the California-mandated paper audit trail as the official ballot in the event of recounts. By doing so this bill infringes on the civil rights of individuals who are blind or have low vision. When the paper trail becomes the ballot, even when that ballot is used for recounts only; people who are blind or have low vision are unable to verify their vote. Californians with vision disabilities count on the State to protect their rights to equal access. This bill is likely to put California out of compliance with the Help America Vote Act, as there is no technology yet that provides for a fully accessible paper audit trail. More importantly, SB 370 would deny equal access to people with vision disabilities. We urge you to reject this bill and keep California working towards equal access for all Californians in all aspects of the voting process. Sincerely, Ann Guerra Executive Director Sample Letter from CFILC: September 1, 2005 Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger State Capitol Sacramento, California 95814 Re: Opposition for SB 370 (Bowen) as Enrolled Dear Governor Schwarzenegger: Over 140,000 Californians live more independently as a result of the 25 Independent Living Centers represented by the California Foundation for Independent Living Centers (CFILC). Our organization is concerned that by designating the paper audit trail as the official ballot in the event of recounts, this bill infringes on the civil rights of individuals who are blind or visually impaired. When the official ballot is the electronic ballot then the issue of being able to review the paper trail becomes less of an issue. The minute the paper trail becomes the ballot, even when that ballot is used for recounts only; the State has crossed the line and violated the civil rights of voters who are blind or visually impaired and unable to verify their vote. California must treat all voters the same; if voters are to be able to verify their paper trail vote that means ALL voters. To treat one group differently is the essence of discrimination and is not acceptable. Although the bill attempts to respond to the needs of individuals with disabilities in relation to the electronic equipment and the accessible voter verified audit trail, in fact, the Federal government is struggling to come to terms with what an accessible voter verified audit looks like and how those systems can be certified in a timely manner. This bill is untimely until those standards are defined and may place at risk our Help America Vote Act (HAVA) funds if California is out of compliance with Federal standards. CFILC also believes this bill may put the state at increased liability for access related suits in relation to voting. Please consider this legislation from a broader perspective and veto this bill that is so damaging to civil rights. CFILC remains vigorously opposed to SB 370. Sincerely, Patricia Yeager Executive Director For additional question contact: Ana Acton Systems Change Advocate FREED Center for Independent Living 154 Hughes Rd. Suite 1 Grass Valley, CA 95945 Voice (530)272-1732 TTY (530)272-1764 Fax (530)272-7793 Email ana@freed.org