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7. Presentation by the Office of Elections Relating to Voters Education for <br /> Voters with Disabilities <br /> Jon Henricks (County Clerk)—here to support, guide and provide information. <br /> Cori Saiki (Office of Elections)—the State and the County Office of Elections have <br /> been doing outreach to various organizations.We participated in the East Hawaii <br /> Disability Legislative Forum.We have provided information on how someone with <br /> accessibility needs can vote. Provided outreach at the Senior Centers and other <br /> various locations. The County`s ADA coordinator,Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, <br /> and the County of Aging and Disability Resource Center library where have voter <br /> registration forms and elections accessibility handouts. The East and West Hawaii <br /> National Federation of the Blind, HOPE Services, Hawaii State Council on <br /> developmental disabilities, and Library for the Blind and print disabled, provide <br /> voting and voter registration information for their newsletter and reading programs. <br /> Ivan Hegent—as a disabled community member, education and outreach for <br /> elections accessibility needs are vital. Some people do not know that the County <br /> provides services to accommodate those in need. Do we have voting machines that <br /> are voice-operated? <br /> Jon Henricks—If you do vote, how did you recently vote? <br /> Allan Hegent—Voter service center machine. The wife also assisted with voting <br /> needs. <br /> Sierra Whiteside— Not yet registered to vote. Did not have the support needed to <br /> vote, and did not know how to access information. <br /> Ivan Hegent—Had a Caretaker or friend help access voter information and provide <br /> accessibility needs to cast a ballot. <br /> Cori Saiki—during the election year, we are in Kona and Hilo, set up for voter <br /> demonstrations and education at Walmart and Waimea KTA. The elections office <br /> will start in June of 2024 with elections outreach and education. <br /> Jon Henricks—Part of the Election's role is to encourage people to vote and <br /> register. <br /> Sierra Whiteside— Never knew how to vote and never thought her voice mattered. <br /> Allan Hegent—using the machine, am I able to skip a vote? <br /> Jon Henricks—yes,you can. The machine allows you to skip, but won't allow you to <br /> overvote. It presents an error-free voting process. <br /> Cori Saiki—There is a tutorial on the State of Hawaii Office of Elections website. <br /> Verity Touch information. <br /> Robert Command—What services through the mail does the elections office <br /> provide to voters with special needs? <br /> Jon Henricks—None to be honest. <br /> Cori Saiki—We have what is called enhanced voting and we also offer braille.A <br /> voter can request to receive their ballot by email. Voters can use their at-home <br /> assisted devices. <br /> Jon Henricks—if you get your ballot in your mail,you can do it independently and <br /> you will need to use your assistance.What Cori explained is an excellent product <br /> we contract out with a vendor that specializes in providing these accessible ballots <br /> through secure email, still private, from your home. The goal is to be able to do it <br /> independently from your home.All the different ways are email, mail, and voter <br /> service center.We rely on community members who are persistent and motivated <br /> that help get the word out so that people can receive these resources promptly. <br /> County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. <br />