PUBLIC NOTICE: Consultation Meeting for the Development of the Draft Plan for the Administration of Elections Conducted Pursuant to the Voter's Choice Act

December 3, 2021

The Yolo County Elections Office plans to fully transition to the new model of election administration under the California Voter’s Choice Act (VCA or “Act”). The Elections Office is currently developing an Election Administration Plan (EAP) and will be holding their initial Public Consultation Meetings on December 13, 2021 via Zoom.

In 2016, Senate Bill 450 created the Voter’s Choice Act (VCA).  In 2018, five counties converted to the VCA model (Madera, Napa, Nevada, Sacramento, and San Mateo.) The VCA model provides that every voter receives a vote-my-mail ballot, and that Voter Assistance Centers replace traditional polling locations.

Under the polling place model in March of 2020, Yolo County had 96 polling places open for one day (Election Day). During the November 2020 General Election and the September 2021 Recall Election, the Yolo County Elections Office piloted Voter Assistance Centers in anticipation of fully transitioning to the Voter’s Choice Act model in 2022.

In accordance with the Voter’s Choice Act, the Yolo County Elections Office is developing an EAP for the administration of elections under the Act. The EAP provides information to the voters of Yolo County about the VCA. It describes the vote-by-mail (VBM) process, Voter Assistance Centers and Ballot Drop Box locations and the technology that will be utilized.

A key component of the EAP is the Outreach Plan which is critical to making the transition and future elections a success. The draft EAP serves as a starting point for public discussions about the County’s transition to the Voter’s Choice Act Model. The Public Consultation meetings will be held Monday December 13, 2021 via Zoom.

Following the initial Public Consultation meetings, proposed changes will incorporate community input and be presented in a Final Draft of the EAP for public review and a 14-day comment period. The public review will lead to an adoption of the Yolo County EAP after a public hearing.

On Monday, December 13, 2021:

  • Public Consultation Meeting: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
    • A discussion focused on developing an effective and inclusive Election Administration Plan as it relates to voters in minority language communities
  • Public Consultation Meeting: 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
    • A discussion focused on developing an effective and inclusive Election Administration Plan as it relates to voting access and voters with disabilities.

Please email [email protected] to get more information about how to use the Zoom link or the call-in phone number. RSVPs are not necessary but are encouraged. Public comments may also be submitted by email to: [email protected]​; or by mail to:  Yolo County Elections: 625 Court Street, Room B-05, Woodland, CA 95695.

For more information, visit: www.yoloelections.org. We encourage Yolo County residents to connect with Yolo County ACE – Assessor/Clerk-Recorder/Elections on Facebook: @YoloACE, Instagram: @YoloCoACE, and Twitter: @YoloCoACE to receive the most up to date information.

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