Remote Accessible Vote by Mail (RAVBM) was implemented by Placer County to make the voting process more convenient for voters with disabilities. AB 37 now permits any voter to cast a ballot using the RAVBM system for any election, regardless of whether the voter is a voter with disabilities or a military or overseas voter. It allows for voters to access and mark their ballot using their home computers and assistive devices who are otherwise unable to visit a polling place on Election Day or vote using a paper mail ballot. To ensure voters’ privacy, the system does not store or transmit selections over the internet, instead the ballot is printed and returned by mail or by hand.

Frequently Asked Questions about Remote Accessible Vote by Mail

1. Who is eligible to use the remote accessible vote by mail system?

Any registered Placer County voter is eligible for the remote accessible vote by mail system.  The voter must have internet access and a printer to mark, print and return their ballot for counting. To register to vote, please go to https://registertovote.ca.gov/.

2. Which web browsers and screen readers can I use with the remote accessible vote by mail system?

The RAVBM system will work on any operating system and is compatible with any screen reader on the market. The major browsers it has been tested with are: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Opera, and Safari.

3. When will the remote accessible vote by mail system be available?

Ballots are available through this system beginning 29 days prior to the election and ending at 8:00 PM on Election Day.

4. Will I still receive my vote by mail ballot packet in the mail although I want to use the accessible vote by mail system?

Yes, all voters will receive a vote by mail ballot package in the mail that includes a paper ballot, a postage-paid return envelope, and voting instructions.

5. How do I access my ballot through the accessible vote by mail system?

Placer County registered voters can access their ballot beginning 29 days prior to the election. You may use the provided application at the top of the page to access your ballot. Once at the website, you will need to affirm your eligibility, and input your information. If not yet registered to vote, please go to https://registertovote.ca.gov/.

6. How do I return my ballot?

After you are finished marking your ballot, it will need to be printed and returned to the Elections Office, either by mail or in person, for tabulation.

A. RETURNING YOUR BALLOT BY MAIL

1. Print the Envelope Wrap Around Image, which is available through the remote accessible system.
2. Complete the Oath of Voter.
   • Please note that your voted ballot cannot be counted unless the Declaration/Oath of Voter is completed, signed, and sent with the ballot.  The signature on your Declaration/Oath of Voter must compare to the signature in your voter registration record.  If you are unable to sign, make your “mark” in the signature box and have a witness sign at the bottom.
3. Seal your voted ballot and signed Declaration/Oath of Voter in an envelope.
4. Attach the Envelope Wrap Around Image to your sealed envelope.
   • If you decide not to use the Envelope Wrap Around Image, place the voted ballot and Declaration/Oath of Voter in an envelope, then address to: Placer County Elections Office, P.O. Box 5278 Auburn, CA 95604
5. The Envelope Wrap Around Image is postage paid and ready to be mailed.

B. RETURNING YOUR BALLOT IN PERSON

1. Follow steps 1-4 in “Returning your ballot by mail”.
2. Bring the envelope to one of the following locations:
   • Placer County Elections Office on or before Election Day
   • Any polling place, vote center, vote by mail drop off location or drop box in the state.
   • Any Placer County Drop Box location listed on the following website: https://www.placercountyelections.gov/drop-box-locations/

7. When is the deadline to return the ballot?

All remote accessible vote by mail ballots returned by mail must be postmarked on or before Election Day and received within 7 days of the election to be considered timely. All remote accessible vote by mail ballots submitted in person or via fax must be received by the Placer County Elections Office or any Placer County polling place prior to 8:00 PM on Election Day. Any ballots delivered in person after 8:00 PM on Election Day cannot be counted. Completed voting packets may only be returned by mail or by dropping it off at any polling place, vote center, vote by mail drop off location or drop box in the state and must include both the voter’s selections and a signed Oath of Voter statement.

8. How will the Elections Office process my ballot?

Once your Remote Accessible Vote by Mail ballot is received by the Elections Office, the signature on the return envelope will be compared to the signature on your Voter Registration Form. After signature verification, to preserve the secrecy of the votes, the Elections Office will remove and separate the ballot from the return envelope that has your name, address, and signature. Once extracted, the ballot moves forward in the process to be counted. The entire process is open to public observation to allow transparency.

9. Is the accessible vote by mail system secure?

Yes. The accessible vote by mail system provided by the Elections Office through Dominion has been certified by the California Secretary of State for use in California. To ensure the privacy of the voters’ selections, the remote accessible vote by mail system does not store or transmit the voters’ selections over the internet. Although the accessible vote by mail system allows voters to access and mark their ballots using any computer and their own assistive devices, the system does not allow electronic voting.

10. What if I have questions or need help?

If you have questions about the remote accessible vote by mail system, please contact the Elections Office:

• Telephone: (530) 886-5650 or toll free in California 1-800-824-8683 8:00 AM through 5:00 PM
• TTY/Voice Communication: 1-800-877-8339
• Email: [email protected]
• In person: 2956 Richardson Dr. Auburn, CA 95603 Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM through 5:00 PM
• Website: www.placercountyelections.gov