5587 AMH SG WARW 29

SB 5587 - H COMM AMD

By Committee on State Government

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 29.33 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The secretary of state shall adopt rules and establish standards for voting technology and systems used by the state or any political subdivision to be accessible for individuals with disabilities, including nonvisual accessibility for the blind and visually impaired, in a manner that provides the same opportunity for access and participation, including privacy and independence, as other voters.

(2) At each polling location, at least one voting unit certified by the secretary of state shall provide access to individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

(3) Compliance with this provision in regard to voting technology and systems purchased prior to the effective date of this section shall be achieved at the time of procurement of an upgrade of technology compatible with nonvisual voting methods or replacement of existing voting equipment or systems.

(4) Compliance with subsections (2) and (3) of this section is contingent on available funds to implement this provision.

(5) For purposes of this section, the following definitions apply:

(a) “Accessible” includes receiving, using, selecting and manipulating voter data and controls.

(b) “Nonvisual” includes synthesized speech, Braille, and other output methods.

(6) This section does not apply to voting by absentee ballot."

EFFECT: Clarifies that blind and visually impaired excludes persons that are both blind and deaf. Specifies that equal access in voting participation is limited to voting at a poll site, and does not include absentee voting. The term "upgrade" is specific to an upgrade that is compatible with nonvisual voting technology and the contingency for implementing this section is broadened to cover the upgrades and replacement of equipment.