1. Voter’s Choice Act: Big Changes Ahead for California Elections
Presentation by Astrid Ochoa, Executive Director
Future of California Elections (FoCE)
February 21, 2018

2. Did you receive this guide?

3. Imagine…

4. Imagine…

5. These moments define the voter experience

6. Our mission
Improving the voter experience through election administration
Plain language
Accessibility
Language access
Voter registration
FoCE is successful because of our model of collaboration among elections officials, reform advocates, civil rights and civic engagement groups

7. Our members and partners

8. FoCE work extends from policy to implementation
Creating Spaces for Policy Discussions
Coordinating Statewide Implementation Strategies
Online Voter Registration
Worked with the former SOS to make OVR accessible and available in 9 other languages
Language Accessibility Advisory Committee &
Voters Accessibility Advisory Committee
Conducted policy education on the benefits of advisory bodies to the SoS. Today committees are formalized in the Elections Code
Automated Voter Registration
Advising the DMV and the Office of the California Secretary of State so that implementation serves underrepresented communities. Will lead voter education efforts on this reform.
Our current project

9. The Voter’s Choice Act Changes How We Vote
All registered voters will receive their ballot in the mail.
Voters will have 3 ways to return their ballot:
By Mail Ballot Dropbox Vote Center
This change will not be felt by the many voters who are already registered to vote by mail. However, it will be a BIG change for traditionally underrepresented voters that rely on their local polling places and may not have experience with mail voting.

10. Vote Centers offer additional services that will support traditionally underrepresented voters
Voters can drop off their ballot at any Vote Center in the county
Voters can vote in person at any Vote Center in the county for up to 11 days -- even on the weekends.
Voters will be able to get assistance in their language, vote on accessible machines and register to vote

11. Voter’s Choice Act is designed to make voting more convenient and accessible
You choose how you vote
You choose when you vote
You choose where you vote
You get the support you need
Voter education is key to successful implementation, especially for traditionally underrepresented communities

12. FoCE launched Voter’s Choice California to support successful implementation of the VCA
The Voter’s Choice California network focuses on supporting voter education in counties and communities
There are VCC hubs in each of the 5 counties and are defining their local strategy for implementation
VCC partners share education strategies for outreach to African American voters, voters with disabilities and limited English proficient voters

13. Voters Choice California focuses on voter education through cross sector partnerships
Work with elections officials and community groups to develop resources and materials to promote consistent and accurate messaging
Coordinate with the Office of the SoS, elections officials and community groups on consistent translations within counties
Build capacity of the field by inviting new partners to participate in VCA education and outreach. Launched grants program and issued a total of $348,000 in grants for 2018.
Host monthly calls to provide trainings, share information, and discuss strategies for outreach to underrepresented populations
Elevate effective practices currently being implemented across the state to capture lessons for 2020 implementation

14. Imagine a voting model that serves the voters of today and the voters of tomorrow

15. Future of California Elections
Thank you
Astrid Ochoa
Executive Director
Future of California Elections
@VotersChoiceCA
@FutureCAElect
Let’s connect!