Bill Text: CA AB896 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Elections: voter registration.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-05-11 - From committee without further action pursuant to Joint Rule 62(a). [AB896 Detail]

Download: California-2011-AB896-Introduced.html

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BILL NUMBER: AB 896	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Portantino

                        FEBRUARY 17, 2011

   An act to amend Sections 3020, 3311, and 4103 of the Elections
Code, relating to elections.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 896, as introduced, Portantino. Elections: vote by mail
ballots.
   (1) Existing law requires that all vote by mail ballots and
special absentee ballots be received by elections officials or
precinct boards by the close of the polls on election day in order to
be counted.
   This bill would permit the counting of vote by mail ballots and
special absentee ballots that are returned by mail and postmarked by
election day.
   (2) Existing law permits certain local and special district
elections to be conducted entirely by mail ballots.
   This bill would also permit these mail ballots in these elections
to be counted if they are postmarked by election day.
   (3) Because this bill would expand the duties of local elections
officials, it would impose a state-mandated local program.
   (4) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse
local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the
state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that
reimbursement.
   This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates
determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state,
reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these
statutory provisions.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:

  SECTION 1.  Section 3020 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   3020.  All vote by mail ballots cast under this division shall
 either  be  postmarked not later than election day or
 received by the elections official from whom they were obtained
or by the precinct board no later than the close of the polls on
election day.
  SEC. 2.  Section 3311 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   3311.  All vote by mail ballots cast pursuant to this chapter
shall be received  by the county elections official not later
than 8 p.m. on the day of a federal election   and
canvassed under the same procedure as all other vote by mail ballots
 .
  SEC. 3.  Section 4103 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   4103.   Notwithstanding Section 3020, ballots 
 Ballots  cast under this chapter shall be  returned
to the elections official from whom they were obtained no later than
8 p.m. on election day   received and canvassed under
the same procedure as all other vote by mail ballots  .
  SEC. 4.  If the Commission on State Mandates determines that this
act contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement to local
agencies and school districts for those costs shall be made pursuant
to Part 7 (commencing with Section 17500) of Division 4 of Title 2 of
the Government Code.