Accessible Voting Information for New Mexico Residents

Accessible Voting Information courtesy of Disability Rights New Mexico and UNM Center for Development and Disability

Process to get access to vote

How can I register to vote? Go to vote411.org to see if you are already registered to vote. If not, the registration deadline is October 8. If you missed the deadline and aren t registered, don t worry. You can do Same Day Registration. The only difference is that you will have to bring a Photo ID to the voting site.

Absentee Voting

Absentee voting is when you are able to vote by mail or drop off your ballot. Why would you do this: You can complete the ballot at home so you can take your time with it. You might not be able to be at a polling site (for example if you are out of your regular voting area). You might feel uncomfortable completing a ballot at a voting site for a variety of reasons. In New Mexico, you are able to sign up for a list to always receive an absentee ballot. What is absentee voting?

So how exactly do I do absentee voting A good place to start is with the No excuse is required to vote with an absentee ballot. Visit NMVote.org to request an absentee ballot, find an early voting location, and more! https://www.sos.nm.gov/voting-and-elections/voter-information-portal-nmvote-org/absentee-and-early-voting/ Secretary of State s Office at https://www.sos.nm.gov/voting- and-elections/voter-information- portal-nmvote-org/absentee- and-early-voting/ https://www.sos.nm.gov/voting-and-elections/voter-information-portal-nmvote-org/absentee-and-early-voting/ https://www.sos.nm.gov/voting-and-elections/voter-information-portal-nmvote-org/absentee-and-early-voting/ https://www.sos.nm.gov/voting-and-elections/voter-information-portal-nmvote-org/absentee-and-early-voting/

Getting an absentee ballot application Going to portal.sos.state.nm.us/OVR/WebPages/AbsenteeAp plication.aspxand filling out an application. Download an application from https://api.realfile.rtsclients.com/PublicFiles/ee307 2ab0d43456cb15a51f7d82c77a2/dbc22267-91b2- 42c2-83a2- 149d7c8b55ce/Absentee%20Ballot%20Paper%20A pplication.pdfand fill it out and drop it off at the County Clerk s Office Contacting your county clerk s office (Bernalillo) at: Clerk: Linda Stover (D) 415 Silver Ave SW, 2nd Floor Albuquerque, NM 87102 Phone: (505) 468-1290 Fax: (505) 468-1293 Website: www.bernco.gov/clerk Email: clerk@bernco.gov

Contact the County Clerks Office or go to https://voterportal.servis.sos.state.nm.us/ WhereToVote.aspx?tab=AbsenteeTracker You can even request an accessible electronic ballot at https://portal.sos.state.nm.us/OVR/WebP ages/AbsenteeApplication.aspx?type=RA All absentee ballots may be returned to the County Clerk s Office or any Election Day polling location no later than 7:00 PM Election Day. More information

What about early voting? To find early voting locations in Bernalillo County, go to https://www.berncoclerk.gov/elections/early-voting/ Voting in person begins at the Clerk s Annex from October 8 to October 18. The Clerk s Annex will be open Monday Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can even do Same Day Registration. Twenty Early Voting Convenience Centers (EVCCs) will be open from October 19 to November 2. Locations are open Monday to Saturday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., unless stated otherwise. These sites will also be open on election day. We will have the Mobile Voting Unit (MVU) at the State Fairgrounds from Monday, October 21 to Friday, November 1. It will be open Monday to Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Same Day Registration will be available at all locations during early voting.

Accommodations available for voting

Federal Law Federal Law Description Description Requires election officials to allow a voter who is blind or has another disability to receive assistance from a person of the voter s choice. Prohibits election officials from conditioning the right to vote on being able to read or write, attaining a particular level of education, or passing an interpretation test. Voting Rights Act of 1965 Laws Protecting the Rights of People with Disabilities to Requires election officials to provide either an accessible polling place in federal elections or an alternate means of voting. Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act of 1984 Requires all offices that provide public assistance or state-funded programs that primarily serve persons with disabilities to provide an opportunity to register to vote in federal elections. Vote National Voter Registration Act of 1993 Requires election officials responsible for conducting federal elections to:provideat least one accessible voting system for persons with disabilities at each polling place; and ensure that the accessible voting system provides the same privacy and independence that other voters receive. Help America Vote Act of 2002

You have the right to Vote by yourself and make your own choices. Get help from a person of your choice or an election worker. Use a physically accessible polling place and an accessible voting machine. Vote if you have a guardian.

Parking Passenger Drop Off Area Areas where polling places must be physically accessible include: Route to Accessible Entrance Entrance to Polling Places Route from Entrance to Voting Area Within the Voting Area Ramps, Lifts, Elevators

Parking Accessible parking spaces for voters that are clearly marked with the standard accessible sign (temporary equipment may be available), Accessible parking spaces for voters located nearest to the accessible entrance to the polling site, and An accessible way to reach the sidewalk (e.g. ramps, curb cuts, etc).

A path to the accessible entrance that is clearly marked with large print signs if the path is not the main route into the polling site, A well lit path that is free from debris (e.g. ice, snow, leaves, low overhanging objects, building materials, gravel, etc.) and has no breaks or edges, and Path of Travel Mobility devices (e.g. ramps, curb cuts, etc.) that allow for easy, unobstructed access to the building.

Voting instructions printed in LARGE PRINT and displayed in an obvious and convenient location, Availability of adaptive devices necessary for effective communication with voters (e.g. a magnifying glass for voters with a visual impairment, communication cards or pen and paper to communicate with voters who are deaf or hard of hearing, etc.), Poll workers who are trained in and can adequately explain adaptive voting equipment to voters who desire to use them, and Adequate spacing in voting facility and lobby to allow for voters using mobility devices to easily navigate the facility. Voting Area

Awareness of curbside voting policy by poll workers and the availability of a viable plan to facilitate curbside voting, Electronic voting equipment that has been turned on, tested, and maintained so that it can be reliably used on Election Day, Voting Voting tables, counters, or booths that are 34 inch maximum height and 27 inch knee space width to allow voters using mobility devices to complete the voting process, Placement of voting booths that contain accessible equipment in the same area of the room as other voting booths and situating them in such a manner as to protect voter privacy.

Ask for, receive and vote another paper ballot if your paper ballot is spoiled or defective; Rights of Every Voter in New Mexico Continued Cast a ballot if you are in line when the polls close; Be assisted by a person of your choice if you are disabled or need help reading the ballot (your employer or an agent of your employer, an officer or agent of your union or a candidate on the ballot for this election are not allowed to provide assistance); and Vote free from intimidation by election officials or any other person; False voting, bribery, coercion, or intimidation are election crimes and subject to prosecution.

Inspect a sample ballot before voting; Ask for and receive instructions on how to operate the voting machine or mark a paper ballot; Ask for and receive instructions on how to cast a provisional ballot if your name is not on the list of voters or if you are required to provide identification and did not bring it to the polls; Vote a provisional ballot if you registered by mail for the first time in this county and did not provide identification when you registered or do not have it with you today; If you provide a current address in this county and valid photo ID, utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck or other government document that shows your name and address, you may vote on the voting machine today; Vote by emergency paper ballot if the voting machine is broken and cannot be repaired in a reasonable length of time; Rights of Every Voter in New Mexico

Accessible Voting Machines

Visual Impairment A person with a visual impairment has the option of requesting a visually impaired absentee ballot or voting at a polling location. If you choose a visually impaired ballot, you will need access to screen reading software to fill out an electronic ballot, and a printer to print the ballot. If you choose to vote at a polling location, you may ask for assistance if needed or use an accessible voting machine.

Voters with print disabilities have the option of requesting to use of the accessible voting equipment at any polling location, or utilizing their right to have someone assist them. Print Disability Designated election workers at the polling place can assist you. You may also bring someone to help you vote. This person cannot be your employer, an agent of your employer, an agent or officer of your union, nor a candidate on the ballot

The Accessible Voting Session (AVS) allow you to do the following: View View the ballot paper and large LCD screen. Change Change screen color scheme, contrast, and font size. Use Use headphones to allow the system to read the ballot to you, using the tactile interface. Use an integrated ballot marking device that does not require the voter to manipulate the ballot and has low force buttons for voter interface. Use

Other items Should have headphones available to hear the options. Should have privacy! If it is a tabulator, for example, it should be turned around and away from the public.

Asking questions while at the polls

Poll workers should not question your eligibility to vote because of your disability. You are allowed to take a friend, relative, or staff with you. This person can assist you if you have difficulties with the poll workers. Ask to speak with the election judge if there is a problem, because a poll worker does not make the final decision. If you need help using the voting booth or machine to cast your vote, you can take your helper with you into the voting space or ask for a poll worker to assist you. This assistance must be allowed. Assistance While Voting

What do I do if my rights are being violated? If you are experiencing difficulties while voting at a polling site, you can ask a poll worker for help or ask for the presiding judge. If your issues are not resolved, you can contact your county clerk s office or call the Secretary of State s office at 505-827-3600 and select Option 2 or email us at sos.elections@state.nm.us

How to prepare to vote

Make sure you are getting good information i.e. League of Women Voters in New Mexico Guide is a GREAT starting point (There are often paper guides at the website or you can go to https://www.vote411.org/plan-your-vote) https://www.vote411.org/plan-your-vote Importantly, good information such as the guide above are labeled NONPARTISAN Also, good guides have information directly from candidates on different issues. They also have records such as debate answers, voting records, etc.

Dont flood yourself with too much information It is easy to find information practically anywhere about candidates, elections, political parties, etc. The goal is not to find every bit of information possible. You will end up with way too much information and have no idea how to separate the good from the bad. Instead, decide what you need to find out, pick a few different sources that are reliable, and see what information lines up across different resources. Take a break from the noise! Don t be around election information everyday 24/7.

Double check information, especially if it comes from a candidate s site or social media or rumors or political ads We all know that information can spread quickly on social media or through rumors. While the information might move quickly or there might be a lot of it, that doesn t mean its good information. If you are only finding information from rumors or partisan media sources or sites that all have the same viewpoint, it is a good idea to look at opposing views to see what they are saying. The candidate s website might seem like the best source of information. However, think of commercials. They try to make their product look like it is the best and will only mention the positives of their stuff and the negatives of everyone else s stuff. Candidate websites are the same way. Don t get your information from political ads.

Dont ignore local or smaller races (Down ballot) Often people focus on the large and highly advertised races such as president, Congress, state legislature and maybe one or two big issues. However, there is far more that goes on in government than simply people at the top. There are many local races and races for more administrative positions that are critically important for a government to function properly. https://nmjpec.org/en/ Other positions includes judges, for example. For information on the performance of judges, go to https://nmjpec.org/en/. There are also votes on whether to support, oppose, or fund certain local and state ideas. These are very important and allow your voice to directly impact policy.

If you have access to someone s voting record either at www.nmlegis.go Some voter guides also have the records. This doesn t mean you should only vote for people who have already served in government. It simply means that this is a source of information that shows whether someone put their money where there mouth is. vor congress.gov, look at it. Actions speak louder than words.

Any Questions?

References https://drnm.org/voting/ https://www.sos.nm.gov/voting-and-elections/voter-information-portal-nmvote-org/ https://www.berncoclerk.gov/elections/ https://cdd.health.unm.edu/autismportal/captivate-podcast/the-importance-of- voting-the-accessible-voting-process/ https://files.captivate.fm/library/7364475e-f26c-48f8-ab16-cff2d339e8da/New- Mexico-General-Election-2024.pdf https://www.ada.gov/topics/voting/ https://www.vote411.org/ https://nmjpec.org/en/

Thank you from the Developmental Disabilities Council Center for Self Advocacy Daniel.ekman@ddc.nm.gov