Language Accessibility Advisory Committee

The Language Accessibility Advisory Committee (LAAC) is an advisory committee to the Yolo County Elections Office.

The Yolo County Language Accessibility Advisory Committee (LAAC) assists and advises the Yolo County Elections Office with the implementation of federal and state laws related to access to the electoral process by voters with limited English proficiency (LEP). The Yolo County Elections Office and the LAAC are dedicated to identifying and finding solutions to eliminate language barriers for LEP voters so that all persons who are eligible to vote can understand the voting process.

All meetings are open to the public and public participation is encouraged. Currently, LAAC meetings are held via Zoom on the third Thursday of the month from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Log-in information is listed here.

Members of the LAAC are volunteers. There is no stipend or reimbursement for participating in the LAAC.

About

The Yolo County Elections Office will pursue opportunities and suggestions provided by the LAAC. These recommendations may lead to actions such as the creation of new voter education and outreach materials, or the revision of existing materials. in-person presentations, virtual meetings, or the distribution of educational materials to organizations serving communities with limited-English proficiency. Other topic areas include:

  • informational materials and website
  • voter education and outreach materials
  • community group engagement
  • election worker diversity
  • election terminology and translations
  • youth involvement
  • sensitivity and inclusion
  • barriers to voting
  • election worker recruitment and training
  • best use of social media
  • multimedia resources
  • initiatives and events that promote voting among LEP voters
  • disseminating information to LEP communities

Pre-Election Preparation

Prior to each major election and in collaboration with the LAAC, Yolo County will conduct bilingual voter education workshops to provide information about:

  • the Voter's Choice Act voting model
  • voting equipment demonstrations and accessibility features
  • using translated facsimile ballots as a reference when voting
  • bilingual assistance or telephone interpreters at Vote Centers
  • Ballot Drop Box and Vote Center information
  • successfully voting by mail
    • signing the envelope properly
    • witnessed voter's "mark"
    • authorizing someone to return your ballot
  • how to "cure" challenged vote-by-mail ballots due to missing signatures or signatures not matching 

Invitation to Interested Members of the Public

We encourage you to consider becoming a committee member. If interested or to find out more, please get in touch with the Yolo County Elections Office at (530) 666-8133 or [email protected].

Desirable Qualifications:

  • able to serve at least one year
  • able to attend meetings (currently virtual)

and

  • experience with non-English speaking communities, advocacy or outreach
  • understanding of barriers faced by voters with limited-English proficiency

Committee membership is limited; however, all interested voters and advocates are invited to attend and participate.

Other VAAC and LAAC Committees across California

Local Voting Accessibility Advisory Committees and Language Accessibility Advisory Committees across California provide a forum for voters with disabilities, senior communities, diverse language voters, their representatives, and advocates to discuss issues they encounter in the voting process while fostering cooperation and building confidence in the election process. VAAC and LAAC members can recommend accessibility improvements to polling places, voter materials, websites, and county election procedures. Committee members can also provide feedback on polling locations, voting systems, and other accessible matters like voter outreach, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.

Local VAAC and LAAC committees help election offices open lines of communication with local residents ensuring elections officials can address issues directly and minimize misunderstandings, preventing misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation. Local VAACs and LAACs are also a great resource for recruiting diverse poll workers.

Below is a link containing a list of the counties that have established local VAAC and LAAC advisory groups and their corresponding meeting information.

https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/laac/local-laac-vaac

Meeting Agendas

May 18, 2023 LAAC Agenda

April 20, 2023 LAAC Agenda

March 15, 2023 LAAC Agenda

February 15, 2023 LAAC Agenda 

January 18, 2023 LAAC Agenda

November 16, 2022 LAAC Agenda

October 19, 2022 LAAC Agenda 

September 15, 2022 LAAC Agenda

August 18, 2022 LAAC Agenda

July 21, 2022 LAAC Agenda

May 19, 2022 LAAC Agenda

April 21, 2022 LAAC Agenda 

March 17, 2022 LAAC Agenda

February 17, 2022 LAAC Agenda

January 20, 2022 LAAC Agenda

December 16, 2021 LAAC Agenda

November 18, 2021 LAAC Agenda 

October 21, 2021 LAAC Agenda

September 30, 2021 LAAC Agenda

August 26, 2021 LAAC Agenda