State advisory committee approves statewide survey of voters with accessibility needs

The Statewide Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee voted on Dec. 19 to approve a survey of voters with accessibility needs to collect experiences from the 2024 election cycle.

Vice Chair James Gashel presided in Chair Patricia Morrissey’s absence and said the committee would use a draft titled “Experiences of voters with disabilities” that staff updated from a 2022 instrument. Ray, an Office of Elections staff member, reviewed the draft questions, which ask respondents to identify their county, say whether they voted in August or November 2024, indicate if non-voting was due to disability, and describe the method they used (mail, in-person with a ballot-marking device, in-person with assistance, an accessible electronic ballot, or other).

Catherine Keim, a committee member, moved to approve the survey and Cheryl Nelson seconded; the motion carried by voice vote. James Gashel said the committee expects the Office of Elections to coordinate with county election divisions to reach people who requested accessible electronic ballots, because those email lists are maintained at the county level. Ray confirmed county cooperation is necessary and agreed to contact county elections divisions to request distribution of the survey link.

Committee members and public participants stressed accessibility of the survey itself. Donald Sakamoto urged that media outreach mention the electronic ballot option and asked that the Office provide phone-based ways to respond for kupuna and voters without internet access. Patricia Morrissey and others proposed staff or volunteers document phone responses; Ray and other staff said the Office expects to provide some phone assistance and will confirm logistics.

Members discussed translation and mode options. The committee agreed to use an online platform (SurveyMonkey was discussed based on prior use) but to include alternative channels: a phone line for staff-assisted responses and distribution via accessible services such as NFB Newsline where feasible. The Office of Elections staff said it would seek a one-time paid subscription to the survey platform and provide details on phone support.

Next steps: staff will (1) finalize the survey as approved, (2) contact county election divisions about distributing the survey link to people who registered for accessible electronic ballots, and (3) confirm phone-assistance arrangements and any platform translations. The committee asked staff to report back with distribution plans and initial response tallies at the next meeting.