(a) The Secretary of State shall establish a Native American Voting Accessibility Advisory Committee. The Secretary of State shall consult with the committee to consider the committee’s recommendations related to improving the accessibility of elections for Native American voters. The Secretary of State may implement the committee’s recommendations as appropriate.
(b) The committee shall consist of the Secretary of State, the Secretary of State’s designees, and additional members appointed by the Secretary of State. The appointees shall have demonstrated experience with voting rights or be a county elections official.
(c) The committee shall serve in an advisory capacity to the Secretary of State and shall do all of the following:
(1) Establish guidelines for reaching as many Native American voters as practical.
(2) Make recommendations for improving the availability and accessibility of election materials, including, but not limited to, state voter information guides, county voter information guides, and vote-by-mail ballots, and their delivery in print or alternative formats to Native American voters.
(3) Make recommendations for the distribution of public service announcements identifying the availability of election materials for Native American voters with at least 45 days before any federal, state, and local election.
(4) Promote to Native American voters the Secretary of State’s toll-free voter registration telephone line for citizens needing voter registration information.
(5) Make recommendations for providing Native American voters with information regarding voter registration and voting processes, and voting rights.
(6) Make recommendations to improve the recruitment of Native American poll workers.
(7) Establish subcommittees to further the scope and purposes of the committee as they relate to improving voter services and access for Native American voters.
(8) Make recommendations for providing information and services to Native American voters regarding language assistance.
(9) Promote the use of plain language and alternative formats for election materials distributed to Native American voters.
(10) Make recommendations for materials to train poll workers on issues related to serving Native American voters.
(d) A member shall not receive compensation, but each member shall be reimbursed for the member’s reasonable and necessary expenses in connection with service on the committee.
(Added by Stats. 2020, Ch. 169, Sec. 1. (AB 2314) Effective January 1, 2021.)