Remote accessible vote by mail system.

Existing law permits a person, corporation, or public agency to apply to the Secretary of State for certification or conditional approval of a remote accessible vote by mail system. Existing law requires the Secretary of State to examine and certify remote accessible vote by mail systems, as specified. Existing law permits a voter, including a voter with a disability or a military or overseas voter, to apply for and receive a vote by mail ballot from his or her county elections official. Existing law also authorizes specified counties to conduct an election as an all-mailed ballot election if specified requirements are satisfied, including requirements relating to accessibility by voters with disabilities. This bill would require a county elections official to permit a voter with a disability, or a military or overseas voter, to cast his or her ballot using a certified remote accessible vote by mail system. This requirement would not apply to a county when conducting an all-mailed ballot election, as specified. These provisions would become operative on January 1, 2020, or one year after the date on which the Secretary of State certifies a remote accessible vote by mail system pursuant to existing provisions of law, whichever is later. By imposing additional duties on local elections officials, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to the statutory provisions noted above.