Feb 05, 2004

Get out and vote

Easy Voter Guides available for March 2 primary election

California’s March 2 primary will play a significant role in this year’s presidential election. To help voters get prepared, a record number of the popular Easy Voter Guides are available through an unprecedented network of over 650 organizations across the state. The California Secretary of State’s Office is sponsoring distribution of the Easy Voter Guides, available in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean. Voters can pick up a free copy at county election offices, libraries, schools, community colleges and a wide variety of community organizations listed at www.easyvoter.org.

The 16-page Easy Voter Guide booklet provides a user-friendly overview tothe March Primary Election, with:

- Statements and pictures from the candidates for President and U. S. Senate
- Statements from each of California’s seven political parties
- Succinct descriptions of the four statewide ballot measures with pro and con arguments
- Easy-to-read descriptions of the primary election and the voting process

“New voters and busy voters appreciate the Easy Voter Guide’s basic explanations, use of visuals and lack of jargon,” says Susan S. Clark, project director. New this election, the Easy Voter Guide is also available on audiotape in English and Spanish, and in large print at www.easyvoter.org. All five languages can be downloaded at www.easyvoter.org and www.myvote counts.org.

The www.easyvoter.org Web site features a database to allow people to find out who is distributing Easy Voter Guides in their area. There are still some copies of the printed booklets for groups who want to order 500 or more guides and order forms are available at the www.easyvoter.org.

In addition to the support of the California Secretary of State’s Office, other major partners of the Easy Voter Guide include the California State Library and the California League of Women Voters Education Fund. The Easy Voter Guide Project is managed by Common Knowledge (www.ckgroup.org) with support from Literacyworks (www.literacyworks.org).