CA SoS Announces Creation of Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee

[Wilms]

California Secretary of State Announces Creation of Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee

Dec 14, 2005

By News Staff

Secretary of State Bruce McPherson announced last week that he has established the Secretary of State's Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee (VAAC) and named its 10 members.

"Ensuring access at the polling place for voters with disabilities is one of my top priorities as Secretary of State," said McPherson. "New federal law requires that all voters be able to vote privately and independently. I want those who understand this issue best to be among those advising me on polling place and voting systems accessibility."

The committee will meet regularly and advise the Secretary of State's Office on issues relating to access to the electoral process by voters with disabilities. Issues include access to the polling place, independent and confidential operation of voting systems and voter education for individuals with disabilities.

McPherson announced the following appointments to the Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee:

* Ana Acton, Freed Center for Independent Living, Grass Valley
* Ardis Bazyn, President, Bazyn Communications, Burbank
* HolLynn D'lil, Accessibility Consultant, Graton
* Margaret Jakobson-Johnson, Protection and Advocacy, Inc., San Diego
* Tim Johnson, Tuolumne County Auditor-Clerk, Sonora
* Mary Ann Jones, Executive Director, Westside Center for Independent Living, Los Angeles
* Debbie Martin, Los Angeles Assistant Registrar-Recorder, Norwalk
* Shawn Casey O'Brien, Disability Rights Advocate, Santa Monica
* Gail Pellerin, Santa Cruz County Clerk, Santa Cruz
* Sally Pujol, Sacramento County Precinct Operations Manager, Sacramento

http://www.govtech.net/magazine/channel_story.php/97603