Bill Text: IN HB1281 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Absentee voting.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-11 - First reading: referred to Committee on Elections and Apportionment [HB1281 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2012-HB1281-Introduced.html
Introduced Version
HOUSE BILL No. 1281
_____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED BILL
Citations Affected: IC 3-11-4.
Synopsis: Absentee voting. Provides that a person assisting a voter in
filling out an absentee ballot application may not assist the voter in
completing the part of the application that states the reason the voter is
entitled to vote an absentee ballot unless the voter is a voter with
disabilities. Requires a person who files an absentee ballot application
for another individual to submit a copy of the person's proof of
identification with the application. Requires a person who files an
absentee ballot application for another individual by facsimile (fax)
must also include with the transmission the same affidavit that must be
filed with a hand delivered application and a copy of the person's proof
of identification. Requires a person who files multiple absentee ballot
applications to file an affidavit and a copy of the person's proof of
identification for each application. Provides that the deadline for filing
an application for an absentee ballot by hand delivery is not later than
11:59 p.m. on the eighth day before election day.
Effective: July 1, 2012.
Richardson, Frye R
January 10, 2012, read first time and referred to Committee on Elections and
Apportionment.
Introduced
Second Regular Session 117th General Assembly (2012)
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in
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HOUSE BILL No. 1281
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
elections.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
SOURCE: IC 3-11-4-2; (12)IN1281.1.1. -->
SECTION 1. IC 3-11-4-2, AS AMENDED BY P.L.103-2005,
SECTION 2, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2012]: Sec. 2. (a) A voter who wants to vote by absentee
ballot must apply to the county election board for an official absentee
ballot. Except as provided in subsection (b), the voter must sign the
absentee ballot application.
(b) If a voter with disabilities is unable to sign the absentee ballot application and the voter has not designated an individual to serve as attorney in fact for the voter, the county election board may designate an individual to sign the application on behalf of the voter. If an individual applies for an absentee ballot as the properly authorized attorney in fact for a voter, the attorney in fact must attach a copy of the power of attorney to the application.
(c) A person may provide an individual with an application for an absentee ballot with the following information already printed or otherwise set forth on the application when provided to the individual:
(1) The name of the individual.
(2) The voter registration address of the individual.
(3) The mailing address of the individual.
(4) The date of birth of the individual.
(5) The voter identification number of the individual.
(d) A person may not provide an individual with an application for an absentee ballot with the following information already printed or otherwise set forth on the application when provided to the individual:
(1) The address to which the absentee ballot would be mailed, if different from the voter registration address of the individual.
(2) In a primary election, the major political party ballot requested by the individual.
(3) In a primary or general election, the types of absentee ballots requested by the individual.
(4) The reason why the individual is entitled to vote an absentee ballot:
(A) by mail; or
(B) before an absentee voter board (other than an absentee voter board located in the office of the circuit court clerk or a satellite office);
in accordance with IC 3-11-4-18, IC 3-11-10-24, or IC 3-11-10-25. A person assisting a voter, other than a voter with disabilities, may not assist the voter in filling out the information described in this subdivision on the voter's application for an absentee ballot.
(e) If the county election board determines that an absentee ballot application does not comply with subsection (d), the board shall deny the application under section 17.5 of this chapter.
(f) A person who assists an individual in completing any information described in subsection (d) on an absentee ballot application shall state under the penalties for perjury the following information on the application:
(1) The full name, residence and mailing address, and daytime and evening telephone numbers (if any) of the person providing the assistance.
(2) The date this assistance was provided.
(3) That the person providing the assistance has complied with Indiana laws governing the submission of absentee ballot applications.
(4) That the person has no knowledge or reason to believe that the individual submitting the application:
(A) is ineligible to vote or to cast an absentee ballot; or
(B) did not properly complete and sign the application.
(g) This subsection does not apply to an employee of the United States Postal Service or a bonded courier company acting in the individual's capacity as an employee of the United States Postal Service or a bonded courier company. A person who receives a completed absentee ballot application from the individual who has applied for the absentee ballot shall file the application with the appropriate county election board not later than:
(1) noon seven (7) days after the person receives the application; or
(2) the deadline set by Indiana law for filing the application with the board;
whichever occurs first.
(h) This subsection does not apply to an employee of the United States Postal Service or a bonded courier company acting in the individual's capacity as an employee of the United States Postal Service or a bonded courier company. A person filing an absentee ballot application, other than the person's own absentee ballot application, must do the following:
(1) Sign an affidavit at the time of filing the application. The affidavit must be in a form prescribed by the commission. The form must include the following:
(1) (A) A statement of the full name, residence and mailing
address, and daytime and evening telephone numbers (if any)
of the person submitting the application.
(2) (B) A statement that the person filing the affidavit has
complied with Indiana laws governing the submission of
absentee ballot applications.
(3) (C) A statement that the person has no knowledge or
reason to believe that the individual whose application is to be
filed:
(A) (i) is ineligible to vote or to cast an absentee ballot; or
(B) (ii) did not properly complete and sign the application.
(4) (D) A statement that the person is executing the affidavit
under the penalties of perjury.
(5) (E) A statement setting forth the penalties for perjury.
(2) A copy of the person's proof of identification.
(i) If an application for an absentee ballot is filed by fax transmission by a person filing an application other than the person's own application, the following must be part of the fax transmission:
(1) The affidavit required by subsection (h).
(2) A copy of the person's proof of identification.
(j) The requirements described in subsection (h) apply to each application delivered by a person for an applicant other than the person, whether the application is delivered by hand or is transmitted by fax. If a person files more than one (1) application at a time, each application must be accompanied by:
(1) an affidavit described in subsection (h); and
(2) a copy of the person's proof of identification.
(i) (k) The county election board shall record the date and time of
the filing of the each affidavit and proof of identification.
(b) If a voter with disabilities is unable to sign the absentee ballot application and the voter has not designated an individual to serve as attorney in fact for the voter, the county election board may designate an individual to sign the application on behalf of the voter. If an individual applies for an absentee ballot as the properly authorized attorney in fact for a voter, the attorney in fact must attach a copy of the power of attorney to the application.
(c) A person may provide an individual with an application for an absentee ballot with the following information already printed or otherwise set forth on the application when provided to the individual:
(1) The name of the individual.
(2) The voter registration address of the individual.
(3) The mailing address of the individual.
(4) The date of birth of the individual.
(5) The voter identification number of the individual.
(d) A person may not provide an individual with an application for an absentee ballot with the following information already printed or otherwise set forth on the application when provided to the individual:
(1) The address to which the absentee ballot would be mailed, if different from the voter registration address of the individual.
(2) In a primary election, the major political party ballot requested by the individual.
(3) In a primary or general election, the types of absentee ballots requested by the individual.
(4) The reason why the individual is entitled to vote an absentee ballot:
(A) by mail; or
(B) before an absentee voter board (other than an absentee voter board located in the office of the circuit court clerk or a satellite office);
in accordance with IC 3-11-4-18, IC 3-11-10-24, or IC 3-11-10-25. A person assisting a voter, other than a voter with disabilities, may not assist the voter in filling out the information described in this subdivision on the voter's application for an absentee ballot.
(e) If the county election board determines that an absentee ballot application does not comply with subsection (d), the board shall deny the application under section 17.5 of this chapter.
(f) A person who assists an individual in completing any information described in subsection (d) on an absentee ballot application shall state under the penalties for perjury the following information on the application:
(1) The full name, residence and mailing address, and daytime and evening telephone numbers (if any) of the person providing the assistance.
(2) The date this assistance was provided.
(3) That the person providing the assistance has complied with Indiana laws governing the submission of absentee ballot applications.
(4) That the person has no knowledge or reason to believe that the individual submitting the application:
(A) is ineligible to vote or to cast an absentee ballot; or
(B) did not properly complete and sign the application.
(g) This subsection does not apply to an employee of the United States Postal Service or a bonded courier company acting in the individual's capacity as an employee of the United States Postal Service or a bonded courier company. A person who receives a completed absentee ballot application from the individual who has applied for the absentee ballot shall file the application with the appropriate county election board not later than:
(1) noon seven (7) days after the person receives the application; or
(2) the deadline set by Indiana law for filing the application with the board;
whichever occurs first.
(h) This subsection does not apply to an employee of the United States Postal Service or a bonded courier company acting in the individual's capacity as an employee of the United States Postal Service or a bonded courier company. A person filing an absentee ballot application, other than the person's own absentee ballot application, must do the following:
(1) Sign an affidavit at the time of filing the application. The affidavit must be in a form prescribed by the commission. The form must include the following:
(2) A copy of the person's proof of identification.
(i) If an application for an absentee ballot is filed by fax transmission by a person filing an application other than the person's own application, the following must be part of the fax transmission:
(1) The affidavit required by subsection (h).
(2) A copy of the person's proof of identification.
(j) The requirements described in subsection (h) apply to each application delivered by a person for an applicant other than the person, whether the application is delivered by hand or is transmitted by fax. If a person files more than one (1) application at a time, each application must be accompanied by:
(1) an affidavit described in subsection (h); and
(2) a copy of the person's proof of identification.
SOURCE: IC 3-11-4-3; (12)IN1281.1.2. -->
SECTION 2. IC 3-11-4-3, AS AMENDED BY P.L.225-2011,
SECTION 54, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2012]: Sec. 3. (a) Except as provided in section 6 of this
chapter, an application for an absentee ballot must be received by the
circuit court clerk (or, in a county subject to IC 3-6-5.2, the director of
the board of elections and registration) not earlier than the date the
registration period resumes under IC 3-7-13-10 nor later than the
following:
(1) Noon on election day if the voter registers to vote under IC 3-7-36-14.
(2) Noon on the day before election day if the voter:
(A) completes the application in the office of the circuit court clerk; or
(B) is an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter who requests that the ballot be transmitted by electronic mail or fax under section 6(h) of this chapter.
(3) Noon on the day before election day if:
(A) the application is a mailed, transmitted by fax, or hand delivered application from a confined voter or voter caring for a confined person; and
(B) the applicant requests that the absentee ballots be delivered to the applicant by an absentee voter board.
(4) 11:59 p.m. on the eighth day before election day if the application:
(A) is a mailed application;
(B) is a hand delivered application (other than an application described in subdivision (3)); or
(B) (C) was transmitted by fax;
from other voters.
(b) An application for an absentee ballot received by the election division by the time and date specified by subsection (a)(2)(B), (a)(3), or (a)(4) is considered to have been timely received for purposes of processing by the county. The election division shall immediately
(1) Noon on election day if the voter registers to vote under IC 3-7-36-14.
(2) Noon on the day before election day if the voter:
(A) completes the application in the office of the circuit court clerk; or
(B) is an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter who requests that the ballot be transmitted by electronic mail or fax under section 6(h) of this chapter.
(3) Noon on the day before election day if:
(A) the application is a mailed, transmitted by fax, or hand delivered application from a confined voter or voter caring for a confined person; and
(B) the applicant requests that the absentee ballots be delivered to the applicant by an absentee voter board.
(4) 11:59 p.m. on the eighth day before election day if the application:
(A) is a mailed application;
(B) is a hand delivered application (other than an application described in subdivision (3)); or
from other voters.
(b) An application for an absentee ballot received by the election division by the time and date specified by subsection (a)(2)(B), (a)(3), or (a)(4) is considered to have been timely received for purposes of processing by the county. The election division shall immediately
transmit the application to the circuit court clerk, or the director of the
board of elections and registration, of the county where the applicant
resides. The election division is not required to complete or file the
affidavit required under section 2(h) of this chapter whenever the
election division transmits an application under this subsection.
SOURCE: IC 3-11-4-4; (12)IN1281.1.3. -->
SECTION 3. IC 3-11-4-4, AS AMENDED BY P.L.66-2010,
SECTION 11, IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE
JULY 1, 2012]: Sec. 4. (a) Applications may be made on application
forms approved by the commission by any of the following means:
(1) In person.
(2) By fax transmission.
(3) By mail (including United States mail or bonded courier).
(4) By electronic mail with a scanned image of the application and signature of the applicant, if transmitted by an absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter acting under section 6 of this chapter.
(b) Application forms shall:
(1) be furnished to a central committee of the county at the request of the central committee;
(2) be:
(A) mailed;
(B) transmitted by fax; or
(C) transmitted by electronic mail with a scanned image of the application;
upon request, to a voter applying by mail, by telephone, by electronic mail, or by fax; and
(3) be delivered to a voter in person who applies at the circuit court clerk's office.
(c) Subject to section 2 of this chapter, a county election board shall accept an application for an absentee ballot transmitted by fax even though the application is delivered to the county election board by a person other than the person submitting the application.
(d) When an application is received under subsection (a)(4), the circuit court clerk's office (or, in a county subject to IC 3-6-5.2 or IC 3-6-5.4, the office of the board of elections and registration) shall send an electronic mail receipt acknowledging receipt of the voter's application.
(1) In person.
(2) By fax transmission.
(3) By mail (including United States mail or bonded courier).
(4) By electronic mail with a scanned image of the application and signature of the applicant, if transmitted by an absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter acting under section 6 of this chapter.
(b) Application forms shall:
(1) be furnished to a central committee of the county at the request of the central committee;
(2) be:
(A) mailed;
(B) transmitted by fax; or
(C) transmitted by electronic mail with a scanned image of the application;
upon request, to a voter applying by mail, by telephone, by electronic mail, or by fax; and
(3) be delivered to a voter in person who applies at the circuit court clerk's office.
(c) Subject to section 2 of this chapter, a county election board shall accept an application for an absentee ballot transmitted by fax even though the application is delivered to the county election board by a person other than the person submitting the application.
(d) When an application is received under subsection (a)(4), the circuit court clerk's office (or, in a county subject to IC 3-6-5.2 or IC 3-6-5.4, the office of the board of elections and registration) shall send an electronic mail receipt acknowledging receipt of the voter's application.
