Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail (RAVBM)Fact Sheet & FAQsUpdated 8/23/24Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail (RAVBM) was implemented by San Luis Obispo County to make the voting process more convenient for voters with disabilities. Currently, any registered voter who is unable to visit a polling place on Election Day or who cannot access or use the paper VBM ballot mailed to them can access and mark their ballot independently and privately from home, using their own computer and any needed assistive devices. Is RAVBM an online service? Yes, but it IS NOT internet voting. Voters who request RAVBM will receive an email from the Elections Office with a link to the ballot marking system and an access code for their individual ballot. With that, they can access their ballot online and use their own technology to mark their voting choices. Once a voter has marked, reviewed, and accepted their ballot, a ballot package with the voter’s completed ballot, instructions, and items required to return the ballot must be downloaded to the voter’s computer. The downloaded RAVBM ballot must then be printed and returned to the Elections Office by:
Importantly, the envelope in which the ballot is returned (whether by mail or in person) must be signed, as signature verification on all ballot envelopes is a key part of election integrity in SLO County. What is the deadline for mailing an RAVBM ballot? To comply with California Elections Code, make sure that a mailed November 2024 Presidential General Election ballot has time to get to the Elections Office and be counted. It is recommended that any RAVBM ballot be mailed by:
Are RAVBM votes stored online? No, to ensure voters’ privacy, the system does not store or transmit selections over the internet; instead, the completed ballot is printed and returned by mail or by hand to a drop box or polling place. What technology can be used to mark a RAVBM ballot? Voters can use web-based tools on a personal computer, printer, and one’s personal assistive device(s) (if needed), including screen readers, tactile switches, closed captioning, sip and puff system, etc. How do I request to vote RAVBM? Voters can request to vote RAVBM when they review their information on My Voter Status - California Secretary of State, or they may contact the SLO County Elections Office by completing and sending this form to [email protected]. Voters can also call the SLO County Elections Office at (805) 781-5228. A voter may request an RAVBM ballot up to and including Election Day. Additionally, voters can also request an RAVBM from their County Elections Office when they use the Same Day Voter Registration process. Is there an accessible Voter Information Guide available online? Yes, beginning October 7, 2024, Voter Information Guides are available on the Clerk-Recorder’s web site with the use of personal accessible navigational tools and screen reader technology. At that time, you can also use our Polling Place Lookup to access the version of the Voter Information Guide for your specific address. How secure is the RAVBM system? California has one of the most strenuous testing and certificate programs in the country to ensure that each voter’s private and independent ballot is secure. What is the link for accessing RAVBM online? RAVBM can be accessed beginning October 7, 2024. At that point, there will be a link posted here, and voters will need to use the unique access code emailed to them by the Elections Office. Are there additional resources available? Disability Rights California published a video demonstration of an RAVBM system, and more information about RAVBM can be found on the California Secretary of State’s web site. |
County of San Luis Obispo
Clerk-Recorder's Office
Remote Accessible Vote-by-Mail Fact Sheet & FAQs