1. Building a Network for Impact
Astrid Ochoa, Executive Director
@FutureCAElect
Prepared for iGO Conference July 2018

2. Election officials
Civil Rights and Civic Engagement Groups
Reform Advocates

3. Civil Rights and Civic Engagement Groups
Future of California Elections (FoCE) works to modernize elections and expand participation
Election officials
Civil Rights and Civic Engagement Groups
Reform Advocates
FoCE builds collaborations and implements strategies for impact

4. FoCE members

5. FoCE members develop annual priorities
In 2018, FoCE will work to implement and disseminate best practices for
Pre-registration of 16/17-year- olds
Student voter registration
California’s new Motor Voter Law
Same Day Registration 
Language access
Improved voter information
Improved Vote-by-mail envelopes  
Voter’s Choice Act (SB 450)
futureofcaelections.org

6. What does the FoCE network model have to do with Improving Design and Language of Elections Documents & Communications?

7. FoCE members and partners bring diverse perspectives and expertise
Election administration
Community Contacts
Regulations
Legislative developments
Language Access
Plain language
Voting Rights
Language review
Design
ADA Compliance
Demographic analysis

8. FoCE members collaborate to develop multiple resources for the field
Toolkits
Research
Reports
Plain language sample text
Educational webinars
Voters Choice California
Annual Conference
futureofcaelections.org

9. FoCE Launched the Voter’s Choice California project in Spring 2017
The VCC supports counties and communities implementing the VCA
We convened local partners in the 5 counties to create local hubs and convened statewide Coalition
Developed Grants program
Partner closely with the Office of the California Secretary of State to develop VCA language glossaries
Steering Committee:
ACLU of California
Asian Americans Advancing Justice-ALC Asian Americans Advancing Justice-LA
California Common Cause
Disability Rights California
League of Women Voters of California
NALEO Educational Fund
Cathy Darling, CACEO representative

10. Voter’s Choice California developed resources to support the field
Website has performed above industry standards showing users are engaged with the material
3min 23s average time on site, industry standard is 2-3 min
2.29 average pages per visit, industry standard is 2
Most visited pages are for general information and resources
What is the Voter’s Choice Act? (1,584 total, 1,244 unique)
Tools for Organizers (1,244 total, 907 unique)
voterschoice.org

11. Voters Choice California became the go to resource for many communities
Voter’s Choice California provided coordination of strategies, plain language materials, elevated effective practices and connected partners
Local leaders were better positioned to support their communities with culturally relevant materials
Counties were better positioned to connect with community partners as required by the Act

12. FoCE Annual Conference aims to build the capacity of the elections field
Convenes nearly 300 participants
Sample of Workshops: Best practices for to serve voters with disabilities, limited English proficient voters, youth, and plain language
Save the Date – Sacramento April 2019

13. Using the FoCE network model to improve election materials
Assess the challenges you are trying to address in your materials
Invite diverse partners to join you in addressing the challenges
Listen to new perspectives, be open to change
Define a collaborative strategy to address the challenge
Meet deadlines
Election officials
Civil Rights and Civic Engagement Groups
Reform Advocates

14. Let me know how it goes!
Astrid Ochoa, Executive futureofcaelections.org voterschoice.org