Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-08-2024 - COH Elections Accessibility Needs Advisory Committee Minutes 4o`,NZV^OF k{q'i Deanna S.Sako Managing Director Mitchell D.Roth +: Mayor Robert H.Command Deputy Managing Director Gunk .of"Puftyal"i (Offirr of f r nVor 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 * Hilo, Hawaii 96720 * (808)961-8211 Fax(808)961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg C * Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740 (808)323-4444 * Fax(808)323-4440 County of Hawaii Elections Accessibility Advisory Committee Minutes Thursday, February 8, 2024, 9:30 a.m. Pueo Conference Room 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2601, Hilo, HI 96720 1. Call to Order The meeting was called to order at 9:32 am by Pomai Bartolome. 2. Roll Call Present:Allan Hegent, Sierra Whiteside, Ivan Hegent, Jon Henricks (County Clerk), Cori Saiki (Office of Elections), J Yoshimoto (Corporation Counsel), Robert Command (Ex-officio), Julia Althoff(member of the public) Pomaika`i Bartolome (Committee Secretary) 3. Statements from the Public on Agenda Items None 4. Introduction of Members Allan Hegent-From Hilo,Advocate for the Blind. Sierra Whiteside-Born and raised on Hawaii Island. Eager to serve. Ivan Hegent-From Hilo.Active in the community. I see a voice advocate for the Blind community. 5. Selection of Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson for the calendar year 2024 Sierra Whiteside made a motion to elect Ivan Hegent as Chair.Allan Hegent seconded that motion.All in favor. No objection. The record reflects unanimous. Allan Hegent made a motion to elect Sierra Whiteside as Vice Chair. Ivan Hegent seconded that motion.All in favor. No objection. The record reflects unanimous. 6. Overview of the Sunshine Law(Corporation Counsel) J Yoshimoto (Corporation Counsel) presents the Sunshine Law training. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. 7. Presentation by the Office of Elections Relating to Voters Education for Voters with Disabilities Jon Henricks (County Clerk)—here to support, guide and provide information. Cori Saiki (Office of Elections)—the State and the County Office of Elections have been doing outreach to various organizations.We participated in the East Hawaii Disability Legislative Forum.We have provided information on how someone with accessibility needs can vote. Provided outreach at the Senior Centers and other various locations. The County`s ADA coordinator,Aloha Independent Living Hawaii, and the County of Aging and Disability Resource Center library where have voter registration forms and elections accessibility handouts. The East and West Hawaii National Federation of the Blind, HOPE Services, Hawaii State Council on developmental disabilities, and Library for the Blind and print disabled, provide voting and voter registration information for their newsletter and reading programs. Ivan Hegent—as a disabled community member, education and outreach for elections accessibility needs are vital. Some people do not know that the County provides services to accommodate those in need. Do we have voting machines that are voice-operated? Jon Henricks—If you do vote, how did you recently vote? Allan Hegent—Voter service center machine. The wife also assisted with voting needs. Sierra Whiteside— Not yet registered to vote. Did not have the support needed to vote, and did not know how to access information. Ivan Hegent—Had a Caretaker or friend help access voter information and provide accessibility needs to cast a ballot. Cori Saiki—during the election year, we are in Kona and Hilo, set up for voter demonstrations and education at Walmart and Waimea KTA. The elections office will start in June of 2024 with elections outreach and education. Jon Henricks—Part of the Election's role is to encourage people to vote and register. Sierra Whiteside— Never knew how to vote and never thought her voice mattered. Allan Hegent—using the machine, am I able to skip a vote? Jon Henricks—yes,you can. The machine allows you to skip, but won't allow you to overvote. It presents an error-free voting process. Cori Saiki—There is a tutorial on the State of Hawaii Office of Elections website. Verity Touch information. Robert Command—What services through the mail does the elections office provide to voters with special needs? Jon Henricks—None to be honest. Cori Saiki—We have what is called enhanced voting and we also offer braille.A voter can request to receive their ballot by email. Voters can use their at-home assisted devices. Jon Henricks—if you get your ballot in your mail,you can do it independently and you will need to use your assistance.What Cori explained is an excellent product we contract out with a vendor that specializes in providing these accessible ballots through secure email, still private, from your home. The goal is to be able to do it independently from your home.All the different ways are email, mail, and voter service center.We rely on community members who are persistent and motivated that help get the word out so that people can receive these resources promptly. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer. Ivan Hegent-the services that the elections office provides for accessibility needs should somehow be promoted throughout our island. Jon Henricks-A gentleman from the State Office of Elections put together an efficient brochure that's usable in different formats that economically describes the options that could be quickly distributed. Ivan Hegent-like a lot of others, I haven't voted because I was unaware of the resources, which created an uninterest in voting. Cori Saiki-AFB stands for Alternate Form Ballot. Jon Henricks-be able to have someone from the vendor who can provide a simple presentation. Ivan Hegent-many of our disabled community may not have the means of transportation to go and vote if they do not want to vote by mail. If we had enough services that can help people be aware and feel comfortable, more people would vote. Sierra Whiteside-can the County do a press release to raise awareness of the committee and the election accessibility needs? Jon Henricks-Yes,you can work with the Mayor's office. 8. Agenda Items for the Next Meeting • Outreach and Education. • Public Announcement. • Recommendations to make to the Office of Elections. 9. Discussion Regarding the Next Meeting Date Friday, February 23, 2024, at 1:30 pm in the Pueo conference room. 10.Announcements Ivan Hegent-working on public awareness with the East Hawaii Chapter. 11.Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by Pomai Bartolome at 11:12am. County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.