As a committee under the Elections Department, the Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee (VAAC) is responsible for making recommendations for improving access to voting and election materials.
The VAAC is designed to advise, assist, and provide recommendations to the Elections Department as to how voters with disabilities can vote independently and privately. The County’s VAAC members have been influential in assisting with numerous projects, including the production of Election Administration Plan (EAP) for the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA) Guidelines. They have helped raise awareness of disability issues through their community involvement and production of the Poll Worker Accessibility Training.
VAAC Meetings
Meetings are held on the last Tuesday of the month at 6:00pm through Zoom. The next scheduled meeting will be on May 24, 2022. The meetings are held in English (with Spanish translation on standby) and with Sign Language Interpretation (Spanish must be requested in advance).
Zoom information: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82238395259?pwd=NU5JYXZqNGRIYmZhNG1YbjNKMXZkZz09
- Meeting at 6:00PM
- Meeting ID: 822 3839 5259
- Passcode: 529517
- Phone: (408) 638-0968 US (San Jose)
Additional meeting dates, times, and locations will be determined by the committee.
For more information, please call toll free: (877) 777-4017 or email: sbcvote@cosb.us. Also, please feel free to reach out to our partner Disability Rights California at (888) 569-7955.
Meeting Agenda and Minutes
| Meeting Date | Agendas | Minutes |
|---|---|---|
| May 24, 2022 | May 24, 2022 Agenda | |
| April 26, 2022 | Arpil 26, 2022 Agenda | April 26, 2022 Minutes |
| March 29, 2022 | March 29, 2022 Agenda | March 29, 2022 Minutes |
| February 22, 2022 | February 22, 2022 Agenda | February 22, 2022 Minutes |
| January 25, 2022 | January 25, 2022 Agenda | January 25, 2022 Minutes |
| December 28, 2021 | December 28, 2021 Agenda | December 28, 2021 Minutes |
VAAC Information Guides
For information on the Secretary of State’s VAAC Committee visit: https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/vaac
Secretary of State Guide (English): https://elections.cdn.sos.ca.gov/pdfs/guide-create-local-vaac.pdf
Disability Rights California Guide (English): https://www.disabilityrightsca.org/system/files/file-attachments/559401.pdf
Your Voting Rights when you are under Conservatorship
Voting Accessibility Advisory Committees (VAACs): Best Practices for County Elections Offices
San Benito County Guide (Spanish): in progress
Accessible Voting for Citizens with Disabilities
The Elections Department strives to provide Vote Centers that are accessible to the elderly and voters with disabilities. To report accessibility barriers/concerns, call (877) 777-4016. For more information, please visit our Accessible Voting webpage.
To access the Secretary of State General voter hotline please call (800) 345-8683 or visit https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/voting-resources/voters-disabilities
