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| THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA |
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| HOUSE BILL |
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| INTRODUCED BY McGEEHAN, McILVAINE SMITH, CALTAGIRONE, BELFANTI, BOYLE, BRENNAN, CARROLL, COHEN, DePASQUALE, DONATUCCI, FRANKEL, FREEMAN, GIBBONS, GOODMAN, GROVE, GRUCELA, HARKINS, HORNAMAN, JOSEPHS, KORTZ, MAHONEY, MANDERINO, MUNDY, M. O'BRIEN, PALLONE, PAYTON, ROEBUCK, SANTONI, SHAPIRO, SIPTROTH, STABACK, STURLA, SWANGER, J. TAYLOR, WALKO AND WANSACZ, FEBRUARY 10, 2009 |
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| REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, FEBRUARY 10, 2009 |
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| AN ACT |
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1 | Amending the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L.1333, No.320), entitled |
2 | "An act concerning elections, including general, municipal, |
3 | special and primary elections, the nomination of candidates, |
4 | primary and election expenses and election contests; creating |
5 | and defining membership of county boards of elections; |
6 | imposing duties upon the Secretary of the Commonwealth, |
7 | courts, county boards of elections, county commissioners; |
8 | imposing penalties for violation of the act, and codifying, |
9 | revising and consolidating the laws relating thereto; and |
10 | repealing certain acts and parts of acts relating to |
11 | elections," further providing for definitions; providing for |
12 | absentee voting; further providing for applications for |
13 | official absentee ballots, for date of application for |
14 | absentee ballot, for approval of application for absentee |
15 | ballot, for official absentee voters ballots, for envelopes |
16 | for official absentee ballots, for delivering or mailing |
17 | ballots, for voting by absentee electors, for assistance in |
18 | voting by certain absentee electors, for canvassing of |
19 | official absentee ballots and for violation of provisions |
20 | relating to absentee voting; and making a repeal. |
21 | The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania |
22 | hereby enacts as follows: |
23 | Section 1. Section 102(w) of the act of June 3, 1937 (P.L. |
24 | 1333, No.320), known as the Pennsylvania Election Code, amended |
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1 | February 13, 1990 (P.L.72, No.18), is amended to read: |
2 | Section 102. Definitions.--The following words, when used in |
3 | this act, shall have the following meanings, unless otherwise |
4 | clearly apparent from the context: |
5 | * * * |
6 | [(w) The words "qualified absentee elector" shall mean: |
7 | (1) Any qualified elector who is or who may be in the |
8 | military service of the United States regardless of whether at |
9 | the time of voting he is present in the election district of his |
10 | residence or is within or without this Commonwealth and |
11 | regardless of whether he is registered or enrolled; or |
12 | (2) Any qualified elector who is a spouse or dependent |
13 | residing with or accompanying a person in the military service |
14 | of the United States if at the time of voting such spouse or |
15 | dependent is absent from the municipality of his residence: |
16 | Provided, however, That the said elector has been registered or |
17 | enrolled according to law or is entitled, under provisions of |
18 | the Permanent Registration Law as now or hereinafter enacted by |
19 | the General Assembly, to absentee registration prior to or |
20 | concurrently with the time of voting; or |
21 | (3) Any qualified elector who is or who may be in the |
22 | service of the Merchant Marine of the United States if at the |
23 | time of voting he is absent from the municipality of his |
24 | residence: Provided, however, That the said elector has been |
25 | registered or enrolled according to law or is entitled, under |
26 | provisions of the Permanent Registration Law as now or |
27 | hereinafter enacted by the General Assembly, to absentee |
28 | registration prior to or concurrently with the time of voting; |
29 | or |
30 | (4) Any qualified elector who is a spouse or dependent |
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1 | residing with or accompanying a person who is in the service of |
2 | the Merchant Marine of the United States if at the time of |
3 | voting such spouse or dependent is absent from the municipality |
4 | of his residence: Provided, however, That the said elector has |
5 | been registered or enrolled according to law or is entitled, |
6 | under provisions of the Permanent Registration Law as now or |
7 | hereinafter enacted by the General Assembly, to absentee |
8 | registration prior to or concurrently with the time of voting; |
9 | or |
10 | (5) Any qualified elector who is or who may be in a |
11 | religious or welfare group officially attached to and serving |
12 | with the armed forces if at the time of voting he is absent from |
13 | the municipality of his residence: Provided, however, That the |
14 | said elector has been registered or enrolled according to law or |
15 | is entitled, under provisions of the Permanent Registration Law |
16 | as now or hereinafter enacted by the General Assembly, to |
17 | absentee registration prior to or concurrently with the time of |
18 | voting; or |
19 | (6) Any qualified elector who is a spouse or dependent |
20 | residing with or accompanying a person in a religious or welfare |
21 | group officially attached to and serving with the armed forces |
22 | if at the time of voting such spouse or dependent is absent from |
23 | the municipality of his residence: Provided, however, That the |
24 | said elector has been registered or enrolled according to law or |
25 | is entitled, under provisions of the Permanent Registration Law |
26 | as now or hereinafter enacted by the General Assembly, to |
27 | absentee registration prior to or concurrently with the time of |
28 | voting; or |
29 | (7) Any qualified elector who expects to be or is outside |
30 | the territorial limits of the several States of the United |
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1 | States and the District of Columbia because his duties, |
2 | occupation or business require him to be elsewhere during the |
3 | entire period the polls are open for voting on the day of any |
4 | primary or election or who is or who may be a civilian employee |
5 | of the United States outside the territorial limits of the |
6 | several States of the United States and the District of |
7 | Columbia, whether or not such elector is subject to civil- |
8 | service laws and the Classification Act of 1949 and whether or |
9 | not paid from funds appropriated by the Congress, if at the time |
10 | of voting he is absent from the municipality of his residence: |
11 | Provided, however, That said elector has been registered or |
12 | enrolled according to law or is entitled, under provisions of |
13 | the Permanent Registration Law as now or hereinafter enacted by |
14 | the General Assembly, to absentee registration prior to or |
15 | concurrently with the time of voting; or |
16 | (8) Any qualified elector who is a spouse or dependent |
17 | residing with or accompanying a person who expects to be or is |
18 | outside the territorial limits of the several States of the |
19 | United States and the District of Columbia because his duties, |
20 | occupation or business require him to be elsewhere during the |
21 | entire period the polls are open for voting on the day of any |
22 | primary or election or who is a spouse or dependent residing |
23 | with or accompanying a person who is a civilian employee of the |
24 | United States outside the territorial limits of the several |
25 | States of the United States and the District of Columbia whether |
26 | or not such person is subject to civil-service laws and the |
27 | Classification Act of 1949 and whether or not paid from funds |
28 | appropriated by the Congress if at the time of voting such |
29 | spouse or dependent is absent from the municipality of his |
30 | residence: Provided, however, That the said elector has been |
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1 | registered or enrolled according to law or is entitled, under |
2 | provisions of the Permanent Registration Law as now or |
3 | hereinafter enacted by the General Assembly, to absentee |
4 | registration prior to or concurrently with the time of voting; |
5 | or |
6 | (9) Any qualified war veteran elector who is bedridden or |
7 | hospitalized due to illness or physical disability if he is |
8 | absent from the municipality of his residence and unable to |
9 | attend his polling place because of such illness or physical |
10 | disability regardless of whether he is registered and enrolled; |
11 | or |
12 | (10) Any qualified, registered and enrolled elector who |
13 | expects to be or is absent from the municipality of his |
14 | residence because his duties, occupation or business require him |
15 | to be elsewhere during the entire period the polls are open for |
16 | voting on the day of any primary or election; or |
17 | (11) Any qualified, registered and enrolled elector who is |
18 | unable to attend his polling place because of illness or |
19 | physical disability; or |
20 | (12) Any qualified, registered and enrolled elector who is a |
21 | spouse or dependent accompanying a person employed in the |
22 | service of this Commonwealth or in the service of the Federal |
23 | Government within the territorial limits of the several States |
24 | of the United States and the District of Columbia in the event |
25 | the duties, profession or occupation of such person require him |
26 | to be absent from the municipality of his residence; or |
27 | (13) Any qualified elector who is a county employe who |
28 | cannot vote due to duties on election day relating to the |
29 | conduct of the election; or |
30 | (14) Any qualified elector who will not attend a polling |
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1 | place because of the observance of a religious holiday: |
2 | Provided, however, That the words "qualified absentee |
3 | elector" shall in nowise be construed to include persons |
4 | confined in a penal institution or a mental institution nor |
5 | shall it in anywise be construed to include a person not |
6 | otherwise qualified as a qualified elector in accordance with |
7 | the definition set forth in section 102(t) of this act.] |
8 | * * * |
9 | Section 2. The heading of Article XIII of the act, amended |
10 | August 13, 1963 (P.L.707, No.379), is amended to read: |
11 | ARTICLE XIII |
12 | Voting By [Qualified] Absentee |
13 | Electors |
14 | Section 3. Section 1301 of the act, amended February 13, |
15 | 1998 (P.L.72, No.18), is repealed: |
16 | [Section 1301. Qualified Absentee Electors.--The following |
17 | persons shall be entitled to vote by an official absentee ballot |
18 | in any primary or election held in this Commonwealth in the |
19 | manner hereinafter provided: |
20 | (a) Any qualified elector who is or who may be in the |
21 | military service of the United States regardless of whether at |
22 | the time of voting he is present in the election district of his |
23 | residence or is within or without this Commonwealth and |
24 | regardless of whether he is registered or enrolled; or |
25 | (b) Any qualified elector who is a spouse or dependent |
26 | residing with or accompanying a person in the military service |
27 | of the United States if at the time of voting such spouse or |
28 | dependent is absent from the municipality of his residence: |
29 | Provided, however, That the said elector has been registered or |
30 | enrolled according to law or is entitled, under provisions of |
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1 | the Permanent Registration Law as now or hereinafter enacted by |
2 | the General Assembly, to absentee registration prior to or |
3 | concurrently with the time of voting; or |
4 | (c) Any qualified elector who is or who may be in the |
5 | service of the Merchant Marine of the United States if at the |
6 | time of voting he is absent from the municipality of his |
7 | residence: Provided, however, That the said elector has been |
8 | registered or enrolled according to law or is entitled, under |
9 | provisions of the Permanent Registration Law as now or |
10 | hereinafter enacted by the General Assembly, to absentee |
11 | registration prior to or concurrently with the time of voting; |
12 | or |
13 | (d) Any qualified elector who is a spouse or dependent |
14 | residing with or accompanying a person who is in the service of |
15 | the Merchant Marine of the United States if at the time of |
16 | voting such spouse or dependent is absent from the municipality |
17 | of his residence: Provided, however, That the said elector has |
18 | been registered or enrolled according to law or is entitled, |
19 | under provisions of the Permanent Registration Law as now or |
20 | hereinafter enacted by the General Assembly, to absentee |
21 | registration prior to or concurrently with the time of voting; |
22 | or |
23 | (e) Any qualified elector who is or who may be in a |
24 | religious or welfare group officially attached to and serving |
25 | with the armed forces if at the time of voting he is absent from |
26 | the municipality of his residence: Provided, however, That the |
27 | said elector has been registered or enrolled according to law or |
28 | is entitled, under provisions of the Permanent Registration Law |
29 | as now or hereinafter enacted by the General Assembly, to |
30 | absentee registration prior to or concurrently with the time of |
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1 | voting; or |
2 | (f) Any qualified elector who is a spouse or dependent |
3 | residing with or accompanying a person in a religious or welfare |
4 | group officially attached to and serving with the armed forces |
5 | if at the time of voting such spouse or dependent is absent from |
6 | the municipality of his residence: Provided, however, That the |
7 | said elector has been registered or enrolled according to law or |
8 | is entitled, under provisions of the Permanent Registration Law |
9 | as now or hereinafter enacted by the General Assembly, to |
10 | absentee registration prior to or concurrently with the time of |
11 | voting; or |
12 | (g) Any qualified elector who expects to be or is outside |
13 | the territorial limits of the several States of the United |
14 | States and the District of Columbia because his duties, |
15 | occupation or business require him to be elsewhere during the |
16 | entire period the polls are open for voting on the day of any |
17 | primary or election or who is or who may be a civilian employee |
18 | of the United States outside the territorial limits of the |
19 | several States of the United States and the District of |
20 | Columbia, whether or not such elector is subject to civil- |
21 | service laws and the Classification Act of 1949 and whether or |
22 | not paid from funds appropriated by the Congress, if at the time |
23 | of voting he is absent from the municipality of his residence: |
24 | Provided, however, That said elector has been registered or |
25 | enrolled according to law or is entitled, under provisions of |
26 | the Permanent Registration Law as now or hereinafter enacted by |
27 | the General Assembly, to absentee registration prior to or |
28 | concurrently with the time of voting; or |
29 | (h) Any qualified elector who is a spouse or dependent |
30 | residing with or accompanying a person who expects to be or is |
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1 | outside the territorial limits of the several States of the |
2 | United States and the District of Columbia because his duties, |
3 | occupation or business require him to be elsewhere during the |
4 | entire period the polls are open for voting on the day of any |
5 | primary or election or who is a spouse or dependent residing |
6 | with or accompanying a person who is a civilian employee of the |
7 | United States outside the territorial limits of the several |
8 | States of the United States and the District of Columbia, |
9 | whether or not such person is subject to civil-service laws and |
10 | the Classification Act of 1949 and whether or not paid from |
11 | funds appropriated by the Congress, if at the time of voting |
12 | such spouse or dependent is absent from the municipality of his |
13 | residence: Provided, however, That the said elector has been |
14 | registered or enrolled according to law or is entitled, under |
15 | provisions of the Permanent Registration Law as now or |
16 | hereinafter enacted by the General Assembly, to absentee |
17 | registration prior to or concurrently with the time of voting; |
18 | or |
19 | (i) Any qualified war veteran elector who is bedridden or |
20 | hospitalized due to illness or physical disability if he is |
21 | absent from the municipality of his residence and unable to |
22 | attend his polling place because of such illness or physical |
23 | disability regardless of whether he is registered and enrolled; |
24 | or |
25 | (j) Any qualified registered and enrolled elector who |
26 | expects to be or is absent from the municipality of his |
27 | residence because his duties, occupation or business require him |
28 | to be elsewhere during the entire period the polls are open for |
29 | voting on the day of any primary or election; or |
30 | (k) Any qualified registered and enrolled elector who |
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1 | because of illness or physical disability is unable to attend |
2 | his polling place or operate a voting machine and secure |
3 | assistance by distinct and audible statement as required in |
4 | section 1218 of this act; |
5 | (l) Any qualified registered and enrolled elector who is a |
6 | spouse or dependent accompanying a person employed in the |
7 | service of this Commonwealth or in the service of the Federal |
8 | Government within the territorial limits of the several States |
9 | of the United States and the District of Columbia in the event |
10 | the duties, profession or occupation of such person require him |
11 | to be absent from the municipality of his residence; or |
12 | (m) Any qualified elector who is a county employe who cannot |
13 | vote due to duties on election day relating to the conduct of |
14 | the election; or |
15 | (n) Any qualified elector who will not attend a polling |
16 | place because of the observance of a religious holiday: |
17 | Provided, however, That the words "qualified absentee |
18 | elector" shall in nowise be construed to include persons |
19 | confined in a penal institution or a mental institution nor |
20 | shall it in anywise be construed to include a person not |
21 | otherwise qualified as a qualified elector in accordance with |
22 | the definition set forth in section 102(t) of this act.] |
23 | Section 4. The act is amended by adding a section to read: |
24 | Section 1301.1. Absentee Voting.--(a) Notwithstanding any |
25 | other provision of law, commencing with the 2010 primary |
26 | election, all qualified electors not serving a term of |
27 | imprisonment who request an absentee ballot application no later |
28 | than five o'clock P.M. on the first Tuesday prior to an election |
29 | shall be granted an absentee ballot and shall be entitled, |
30 | without further condition or qualification, to vote in the |
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1 | election by absentee ballot. |
2 | (b) Qualified electors who request an absentee ballot later |
3 | than five o'clock P.M. of the first Tuesday prior to the |
4 | election shall be entitled to cast their vote in the election by |
5 | absentee ballot in accordance with the provisions of this |
6 | article relating to Emergency Application. |
7 | (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, absentee |
8 | ballot application forms shall require only information |
9 | reasonably needed to determine an elector's qualification to |
10 | vote and polling location. |
11 | (d) Absentee ballot application requests may be submitted in |
12 | writing, electronically or in person to the county board of |
13 | elections. |
14 | Section 5. Section 1302 of the act, amended February 13, |
15 | 1998 (P.L.72, No.18) and December 9, 2002 (P.L.1246, No.150), is |
16 | amended to read: |
17 | Section 1302. Applications for Official Absentee Ballots.-- |
18 | (a) Any qualified elector [defined in preceding section 1301, |
19 | subsections (a) to (h), inclusive,] may apply at any time before |
20 | any primary or election for any official absentee ballot in |
21 | person, on any form supplied by the Federal Government, or on |
22 | any official county board of election form addressed to the |
23 | Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the county |
24 | board of election of the county in which his voting residence is |
25 | located. |
26 | (b) [The application shall contain the following |
27 | information: Home residence at the time of entrance into actual |
28 | military service or Federal employment, length of time a |
29 | citizen, length of residence in Pennsylvania, date of birth, |
30 | length of time a resident of voting district, voting district if |
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1 | known, party choice in case of primary, name and, for a military |
2 | elector, his stateside military address, FPO or APO number and |
3 | serial number. Any elector other than a military elector shall |
4 | in addition specify the nature of his employment, the address to |
5 | which ballot is to be sent, relationship where necessary, and |
6 | such other information as may be determined and prescribed by |
7 | the Secretary of the Commonwealth. When such application is |
8 | received by the Secretary of the Commonwealth it shall be |
9 | forwarded to the proper county board of election.] (Reserved). |
10 | (c) The application of any qualified elector[, as defined in |
11 | section 1301(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and (h),] for an |
12 | official absentee ballot in any primary or election may not be |
13 | made over the signature of any person, other than the qualified |
14 | elector or an adult member of his immediate family, as required |
15 | in the preceding subsection. [A qualified absentee military or |
16 | overseas elector, as defined by the Uniformed and Overseas |
17 | Citizens Absentee Voting Act (Public Law 99-410, 100 Stat. 924), |
18 | may submit his application for an official absentee ballot by |
19 | facsimile method if the original application is received prior |
20 | to the election by the county election office.] The absentee |
21 | ballot of the [qualified military or] overseas elector, as |
22 | defined by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting |
23 | Act (Public Law 99-410, 100 Stat. 924), shall not be counted |
24 | unless the elector's original application is received prior to |
25 | the election by the county election office. [The facsimile |
26 | method shall not be acceptable for the official absentee |
27 | ballot.] |
28 | (d) The application of any qualified elector[, as defined in |
29 | preceding section 1301, subsections (b) to (h), inclusive,] for |
30 | an official absentee ballot in any primary or election shall be |
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1 | signed by the applicant. |
2 | (e) Any qualified bedridden or hospitalized veteran absent |
3 | from the municipality of his residence and unable to attend his |
4 | polling place because of such illness or physical disability, |
5 | regardless of whether he is registered or enrolled, may apply at |
6 | any time before any primary or election for an official absentee |
7 | ballot on any official county board of election form addressed |
8 | to the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or the |
9 | county board of elections of the county in which his voting |
10 | residence is located. |
11 | The application shall contain the following information: |
12 | Residence at the time of becoming bedridden or hospitalized, |
13 | length of time a citizen, length of residence in Pennsylvania, |
14 | date of birth, length of time a resident in voting district, |
15 | voting district if known, party choice in case of primary, name |
16 | and address of present residence or hospital at which |
17 | hospitalized. When such application is received by the Secretary |
18 | of the Commonwealth, it shall be forwarded to the proper county |
19 | board of elections. |
20 | The application for an official absentee ballot for any |
21 | primary or election shall be made on information supplied over |
22 | the signature of the bedridden or hospitalized veteran as |
23 | required in the preceding subsection. Any qualified registered |
24 | elector[, including a spouse or dependent referred to in |
25 | subsection (l) of section 1301,] who expects to be or is absent |
26 | from the municipality of his residence because his duties, |
27 | occupation or business require him to be elsewhere on the day of |
28 | any primary or election and any qualified registered elector who |
29 | is unable to attend his polling place on the day of any primary |
30 | or election because of illness or physical disability and any |
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1 | qualified registered bedridden or hospitalized veteran in the |
2 | county of residence, or in the case of a county employe who |
3 | cannot vote due to duties on election day relating to the |
4 | conduct of the election, or in the case of a person who will not |
5 | attend a polling place because of the observance of a religious |
6 | holiday, may apply to the county board of elections of the |
7 | county in which his voting residence is located for an Official |
8 | Absentee Ballot. Such application shall be made upon an official |
9 | application form supplied by the county board of elections. Such |
10 | official application form shall be determined and prescribed by |
11 | the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. |
12 | (1) [The application of any qualified registered elector, |
13 | including spouse or dependent referred to in subsection (l) of |
14 | section 1301, who expects to be or is absent from the |
15 | municipality of his residence because his duties, occupation or |
16 | business require him to be elsewhere on the day of any primary |
17 | or election, or in the case of a county employe who cannot vote |
18 | due to duties on election day relating to the conduct of the |
19 | election, or in the case of a person who will not attend a |
20 | polling place because of the observance of a religious holiday, |
21 | shall be signed by the applicant and shall include the surname |
22 | and given name or names of the applicant, his occupation, date |
23 | of birth, length of time a resident in voting district, voting |
24 | district if known, place of residence, post office address to |
25 | which ballot is to be mailed, the reason for his absence, and |
26 | such other information as shall make clear to the county board |
27 | of elections the applicant's right to an official absentee |
28 | ballot.] (Reserved). |
29 | (2) The application of any qualified registered elector who |
30 | is unable to attend his polling place on the day of any primary |
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1 | or election because of illness or physical disability and the |
2 | application of any qualified registered bedridden or |
3 | hospitalized veteran in the county of residence shall be signed |
4 | by the applicant and shall include surname and given name or |
5 | names of the applicant, his occupation, date of birth, residence |
6 | at the time of becoming bedridden or hospitalized, length of |
7 | time a resident in voting district, voting district if known, |
8 | place of residence, post office address to which ballot is to be |
9 | mailed, and such other information as shall make clear to the |
10 | county board of elections the applicant's right to an official |
11 | ballot. In addition, the application of such electors shall |
12 | include a declaration stating the nature of their disability or |
13 | illness, and the name, office address and office telephone |
14 | number of their attending physician: Provided, however, That in |
15 | the event any elector entitled to an absentee ballot under this |
16 | subsection be unable to sign his application because of illness |
17 | or physical disability, he shall be excused from signing upon |
18 | making a statement which shall be witnessed by one adult person |
19 | in substantially the following form: I hereby state that I am |
20 | unable to sign my application for an absentee ballot without |
21 | assistance because I am unable to write by reason of my illness |
22 | or physical disability. I have made or have received assistance |
23 | in making my mark in lieu of my signature. |
24 | | ....................(Mark) | 25 | ............................ | | 26 | (Date) | | 27 | | ........................ | 28 | | (Signature of Witness) | 29 | ........................... | | 30 | (Complete Address of Witness) | |
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1 | (e.1) Any qualified registered elector, including any |
2 | qualified bedridden or hospitalized veteran, who is unable |
3 | because of illness or physical disability to attend his polling |
4 | place on the day of any primary or election or operate a voting |
5 | machine and state distinctly and audibly that he is unable to do |
6 | so as required by section 1218 of this act may, with the |
7 | certification by his attending physician that he is permanently |
8 | disabled, and physically unable to attend the polls or operate a |
9 | voting machine and make the distinct and audible statement |
10 | required by section 1218 appended to the application |
11 | hereinbefore required, be placed on a permanently disabled |
12 | absentee ballot list file. An absentee ballot application shall |
13 | be mailed to every such person for each primary or election so |
14 | long as he does not lose his voting rights by failure to vote as |
15 | otherwise required by this act. Such person shall not be |
16 | required to file a physician's certificate of disability with |
17 | each application as required in subsection (e) of this section |
18 | but such person must submit a written statement asserting |
19 | continuing disability every four years in order to maintain his |
20 | eligibility to vote under the provisions of this subsection. |
21 | Should any such person lose his disability he shall inform the |
22 | county board of elections of the county of his residence. |
23 | (e.2) [Notwithstanding the other provisions of this act any |
24 | qualified elector who expects to be or is absent from the |
25 | municipality of his residence because his duties, occupation or |
26 | business require him to be elsewhere on the day of any election |
27 | or a county employe who cannot vote due to duties on election |
28 | day relating to the conduct of the election or a person who will |
29 | not attend a polling place because of the observance of a |
30 | religious holiday may make an application for an absentee ballot |
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1 | by mail by sending a letter to the county board of elections in |
2 | the county in which his voting residence is located. The letter |
3 | shall be signed by the applicant and contain his name and place |
4 | of residence.] (Reserved). |
5 | (f) The county chairman of each political party or the head |
6 | of each political body shall designate one representative from |
7 | his respective political party or body for each public |
8 | institution. The representatives so appointed shall, at the same |
9 | time on a date fixed by the county board of election visit every |
10 | public institution situate in the county for the purpose of |
11 | obtaining the names and addresses of public institution |
12 | residents who desire to receive applications for absentee |
13 | ballots and to act as an election board as provided in |
14 | subsection (g) of this section. The list of names and addresses |
15 | thus obtained shall then be submitted by said representatives to |
16 | the board which shall furnish applications individually to those |
17 | appearing in the written request. If the chairman or head of a |
18 | political party or body fails to appoint a representative within |
19 | fifteen days from written notice from the county board of |
20 | election, the county board of election shall appoint a |
21 | representative from the political party or body. |
22 | (g) The county board of election shall appoint teams of |
23 | three members for each public institution that shall go to the |
24 | public institutions and hold the election on the first Friday |
25 | prior to election day. Each member of the board shall appoint |
26 | one member on every team. After the votes are cast, the teams |
27 | shall collect the ballots and return them to the county board of |
28 | election where they shall be placed unopened in a secure, safe |
29 | and sealed container in the custody of the board until they |
30 | shall be distributed to the respective absentee voters' election |
|
1 | district as provided in section 1308 of this act where they |
2 | shall be counted with the other absentee ballots, if any. |
3 | (h) The county board of election shall number, in |
4 | chronological order, the applications for an official absentee |
5 | ballot, which number shall likewise appear on the official |
6 | absentee ballot for the qualified elector. The numbers shall |
7 | appear legibly and in a conspicuous place but before the ballots |
8 | are distributed the number on the ballot shall be torn off by |
9 | the county board of election. This number information shall be |
10 | appropriately inserted and become a part of the Registered |
11 | Absentee Voters File and the Military, Veterans and Emergency |
12 | Civilian Absentee Voters File provided in section 1302.3 of this |
13 | act. |
14 | (i) Application for official absentee ballots shall be on |
15 | forms prescribed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth. [The |
16 | application shall state that a voter who receives an absentee |
17 | ballot pursuant to section 1301 and who, on election day, is |
18 | capable of voting at the appropriate polling place must void the |
19 | absentee ballot and vote in the normal manner at the appropriate |
20 | voting place.] Such forms shall be made freely available to the |
21 | public at county board of elections, municipal buildings and at |
22 | such other locations designated by the secretary. No written |
23 | application or personal request shall be necessary to receive |
24 | the application forms. Copies of all completed applications for |
25 | official absentee ballots shall be retained by the county board |
26 | of elections. |
27 | Section 6. Section 1302.1(a.2) of the act, amended November |
28 | 9, 2006 (P.L.1330, No.137), is amended to read: |
29 | Section 1302.1. Date of Application for Absentee Ballot.--* |
30 | * * |
|
1 | (a.2) In the event any elector otherwise qualified who |
2 | becomes so physically disabled or ill between five o'clock P.M. |
3 | on the first Friday preceding any primary or election and eight |
4 | o'clock P.M. on the day of any primary or election that he is |
5 | unable to appear at his polling place or any elector otherwise |
6 | qualified who because of the conduct of his business, duties or |
7 | occupation will necessarily be absent from the municipality of |
8 | his residence on the day of the primary or election, which fact |
9 | was not and could not reasonably be known to said elector prior |
10 | to five o'clock P.M. on the first Friday preceding any primary |
11 | or election, the elector shall be entitled to an absentee ballot |
12 | if the elector completes and files with the court of common |
13 | pleas in the county in which the elector is qualified to vote an |
14 | Emergency Application or a letter or other signed document, |
15 | which includes the same information as is provided on the |
16 | Emergency Application. Upon a determination that the [elector is |
17 | a qualified absentee elector under section 1301] information |
18 | submitted is valid, the judge shall issue an absentee ballot to |
19 | the elector. If the elector is unable to appear in court to |
20 | receive the ballot, the judge shall give the elector's absentee |
21 | ballot to an authorized representative of the elector who is |
22 | designated in writing by the elector. The authorized |
23 | representative shall deliver the absentee ballot to the elector |
24 | and return the completed absentee ballot, sealed in the official |
25 | absentee ballot envelopes, to the county board of elections, who |
26 | shall distribute the ballot, unopened, to the absentee voter's |
27 | election district. If the elector is unable to appear in court |
28 | or unable to obtain assistance from an authorized |
29 | representative, the judge shall direct a deputy sheriff of the |
30 | county to deliver the absentee ballot to the elector if the |
|
1 | elector is at a physical location within the county and return |
2 | the completed absentee ballot, sealed in the official absentee |
3 | ballot envelopes, to the county board of elections, who shall |
4 | distribute the ballots, unopened, to the absentee voter's |
5 | respective election district. If there is no authorized |
6 | representative and a deputy sheriff is unavailable to deliver an |
7 | absentee ballot under this section, the judge may direct a |
8 | constable to make such delivery in accordance with the |
9 | provisions of this section. In the case of an elector who |
10 | requires assistance in marking the elector's ballot, the elector |
11 | shall designate in writing the person who will assist in marking |
12 | the ballot. Such person shall be otherwise eligible to provide |
13 | assistance to electors eligible for assistance, and such person |
14 | shall declare in writing that assistance was rendered. Any |
15 | person other than the designee who shall render assistance in |
16 | marking a ballot or any person rendering assistance who shall |
17 | fail to execute a declaration shall be guilty of a violation of |
18 | this act. No absentee ballot under this subsection shall be |
19 | counted which is received in the office of the county board of |
20 | elections later than eight o'clock P.M. on the day of the |
21 | primary or election. |
22 | * * * |
23 | Section 7. Section 1302.2 of the act, amended December 11, |
24 | 1968 (P.L.1183, No.375), is amended to read: |
25 | Section 1302.2. Approval of Application for Absentee |
26 | Ballot.-- |
27 | (a) The county board of elections, upon receipt of any |
28 | application filed by a qualified elector [not required to be |
29 | registered under preceding section 1301,] shall ascertain from |
30 | the information on such application, district register or from |
|
1 | any other source that such applicant possesses all the |
2 | qualifications of a qualified elector [other than being |
3 | registered or enrolled]. If the board is satisfied that the |
4 | applicant is qualified to receive an official absentee ballot, |
5 | the application shall be marked approved such approval decision |
6 | shall be final and binding [except that challenges may be made |
7 | only on the ground that the applicant did not possess |
8 | qualifications of an absentee elector. Such challenges must be |
9 | made to the county board of elections prior to 5:00 o'clock P. |
10 | M. on the first Friday prior to the election]. When so approved, |
11 | the county board of elections shall cause the applicant's name |
12 | and residence (and at a primary, the party enrollment) to be |
13 | inserted in the Military, Veterans and Emergency Civilians |
14 | Absentee Voters File as provided in section 1302.3, subsection |
15 | (b): Providing, however, That no application of any qualified |
16 | elector in military service shall be rejected for failure to |
17 | include on his application any information if such information |
18 | may be ascertained within a reasonable time by the county board |
19 | of elections. |
20 | (b) The county board of elections, upon receipt of any |
21 | application filed by a qualified elector who is entitled, under |
22 | the provisions of the Permanent Registration Law as now or |
23 | hereinafter enacted by the General Assembly, to absentee |
24 | registration prior to or concurrently with the time of voting as |
25 | provided under preceding section [1301] 1301.1, shall ascertain |
26 | from the information on such application or from any other |
27 | source that such applicant possesses all the qualifications of a |
28 | qualified elector. If the board is satisfied that the applicant |
29 | is entitled, under the provisions of the Permanent Registration |
30 | Law as now or hereinafter enacted by the General Assembly, to |
|
1 | absentee registration prior to or concurrently with the time of |
2 | voting and that the applicant is qualified to receive an |
3 | official absentee ballot, the application shall be marked |
4 | "approved." Such approval decision shall be final and binding |
5 | [except that challenges may be made only on the ground that the |
6 | applicant did not possess the qualifications of an absentee |
7 | elector prior to or concurrently with the time of voting. Such |
8 | challenges must be made to the county board of elections prior |
9 | to 5:00 o'clock P. M. on the first Friday prior to the |
10 | election]. When so approved, the county board of elections shall |
11 | cause the applicant's name and residence (and at a primary, the |
12 | party enrollment) to be inserted in the Military, Veterans and |
13 | Emergency Civilian Absentee Voters File as provided in section |
14 | 1302.3 subsection (b). |
15 | (c) The county board of elections, upon receipt of any |
16 | application of a qualified elector required to be registered |
17 | under the provisions of preceding section [1301] 1301.1, shall |
18 | determine the qualifications of such applicant by comparing the |
19 | information set forth on such application with the information |
20 | contained on the applicant's permanent registration card. If the |
21 | board is satisfied that the applicant is qualified to receive an |
22 | official absentee ballot, the application shall be marked |
23 | "approved." Such approval decision shall be final and binding[, |
24 | except that challenges may be made only on the ground that the |
25 | applicant did not possess the qualifications of an absentee |
26 | elector. Such challenges must be made to the county board of |
27 | elections prior to 5:00 o'clock P. M. on the first Friday prior |
28 | to the election]. When so approved, the registration commission |
29 | shall cause an absentee voter's temporary registration card to |
30 | be inserted in the district register on top of and along with |
|
1 | the permanent registration card. The absentee voter's temporary |
2 | registration card shall be in the color and form prescribed in |
3 | subsection (e) of this section: |
4 | Provided, however, That the duties of the county boards of |
5 | elections and the registration commissions with respect to the |
6 | insertion of the absentee voter's temporary registration card of |
7 | any elector from the district register as set forth in section |
8 | 1302.2 shall include only such applications and emergency |
9 | applications as are received on or before the first Tuesday |
10 | prior to the primary or election. In all cases where |
11 | applications are received after the first Tuesday prior to the |
12 | primary or election and before five o'clock P. M. on the first |
13 | Friday prior to the primary or election, the county board of |
14 | elections shall determine the qualifications of such applicant |
15 | by comparing the information set forth on such application with |
16 | the information contained on the applicant's duplicate |
17 | registration card on file in the General Register (also referred |
18 | to as the Master File) in the office of the Registration |
19 | Commission and shall cause the name and residence (and at |
20 | primaries, the party enrollment) to be inserted in the Military, |
21 | Veterans and Emergency Civilian Absentee Voters File as provided |
22 | in section 1302.3, subsection (b). In addition, the local |
23 | district boards of elections shall, upon canvassing the official |
24 | absentee ballots under section 1308, examine the voting check |
25 | list of the election district of said elector's residence and |
26 | satisfy itself that such elector did not cast any ballot other |
27 | than the one properly issued to him under his absentee ballot |
28 | application. In all cases where the examination of the local |
29 | district board of elections discloses that an elector did vote a |
30 | ballot other than the one properly issued to him under the |
|
1 | absentee ballot application, the local district board of |
2 | elections shall thereupon cancel said absentee ballot and said |
3 | elector shall be subject to the penalties as hereinafter set |
4 | forth. |
5 | (d) In the event that any application for an official |
6 | absentee ballot is not approved by the county board of |
7 | elections, the elector shall be notified immediately to that |
8 | effect with a statement by the county board of the reasons for |
9 | the disapproval. |
10 | (e) The absentee voter's temporary registration card shall be |
11 | in duplicate and the same size as the permanent registration |
12 | card, in a different and contrasting color to the permanent |
13 | registration card and shall contain the absentee voter's name |
14 | and address and shall conspicuously contain the words "Absentee |
15 | Voter." Such card shall also contain the affidavit required by |
16 | subsection (b) of section 1306. |
17 | Section 8. Section 1303(e) of the act, amended May 5, 1986 |
18 | (P.L.150, No.47), is amended to read: |
19 | Section 1303. Official Absentee Voters Ballots.--* * * |
20 | (e) [The official absentee voter ballot shall state that a |
21 | voter who receives an absentee ballot pursuant to section 1301 |
22 | and who, on election day, is capable of voting at the |
23 | appropriate polling place must void the absentee ballot and vote |
24 | in the normal manner at the appropriate voting place.] |
25 | (Reserved). |
26 | Section 9. Section 1304 of the act, amended December 11, |
27 | 1968 (P.L.1183, No.375), is amended to read: |
28 | Section 1304. Envelopes for Official Absentee Ballots.-- |
29 | The county boards of election shall provide two additional |
30 | envelopes for each official absentee ballot of such size and |
|
1 | shape as shall be prescribed by the Secretary of the |
2 | Commonwealth, in order to permit the placing of one within the |
3 | other and both within the mailing envelope. On the smaller of |
4 | the two envelopes to be enclosed in the mailing envelope shall |
5 | be printed, stamped or endorsed the words "Official Absentee |
6 | Ballot," and nothing else. On the larger of the two envelopes, |
7 | to be enclosed within the mailing envelope, shall be printed the |
8 | form of the declaration of the elector, and the name and address |
9 | of the county board of election of the proper county. The larger |
10 | envelope shall also contain information indicating the local |
11 | election district of the absentee voter. Said form of |
12 | declaration and envelope shall be as prescribed by the Secretary |
13 | of the Commonwealth and shall contain among other things a |
14 | statement of the electors qualifications, together with a |
15 | statement that such elector has not already voted in such |
16 | primary or election. The mailing envelope addressed to the |
17 | elector shall contain the two envelopes, the official absentee |
18 | ballot, lists of candidates, when authorized by section 1303 |
19 | subsection (b) of this act, the uniform instructions in form and |
20 | substance as prescribed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth and |
21 | nothing else: Provided, however, That envelopes for electors |
22 | [qualified] voting under preceding section [1301, subsections |
23 | (a) to (h), inclusive,] 1301.1 shall have printed across the |
24 | face of each transmittal or return envelope two parallel |
25 | horizontal red bars, each one-quarter inch wide, extending from |
26 | one side of the envelope to the other side, with an intervening |
27 | space of one-quarter inch, the top bar to be one and one-quarter |
28 | inches from the top of the envelope and with the words "Official |
29 | Election Balloting Material via Air Mail" between the bars; that |
30 | there be printed, in the upper right corner of each such |
|
1 | envelope in a box, the words "Free of U. S. Postage, Including |
2 | Air Mail;" that all printing on the face of each such envelope |
3 | be in red, and that there be printed in red, in the upper left |
4 | corner of each such envelope, the name and address of the county |
5 | board of elections of the proper county or blank lines for |
6 | return address of the sender: |
7 | Provided further, That the aforesaid envelope addressed to |
8 | the elector may contain absentee registration forms where |
9 | required, and shall contain detailed instructions on the |
10 | procedures to be observed in casting an absentee ballot as |
11 | prescribed by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, together with |
12 | return envelope upon which is printed the name and address of |
13 | the registration commission of the proper county, which envelope |
14 | shall have printed across the face two parallel horizontal red |
15 | bars, each one-quarter inch wide, extending from one side of the |
16 | envelope to the other side, with an intervening space of one- |
17 | quarter inch, the top bar to be one and one-quarter inches from |
18 | the top of the envelope and with the words "Official Election |
19 | Balloting Material via Air Mail" between the bars; that there be |
20 | printed in the upper right corner of each such envelope in a box |
21 | the words "Free of U. S. Postage, Including Air Mail," and, in |
22 | the upper left corner of each such envelope, blank lines for |
23 | return address of the sender; that all printing on the face of |
24 | each such envelope be in red. |
25 | Section 10. Section 1305 of the act, amended August 13, 1963 |
26 | (P.L.707, No.379) and December 17, 1990 (P.L.681, No.169), is |
27 | amended to read: |
28 | Section 1305. Delivering or Mailing Ballots.-- |
29 | (a) The county board of elections upon receipt and approval |
30 | of an application filed by any elector [qualified] in accordance |
|
1 | with the provisions of section [1301, subsections (a) to (h), |
2 | inclusive,] 1301.1 shall not later than fifty days prior to the |
3 | day of the primary or not later than seventy days prior to the |
4 | day of the election commence to deliver or mail to such elector |
5 | who has included with said application a statement that he or |
6 | she is unable to vote during the regular absentee balloting |
7 | period by reason of living or performing military service in an |
8 | extremely remote or isolated area of the world, and not later |
9 | than forty-five days prior to the day of the primary or election |
10 | commence to deliver or mail to all other such electors as |
11 | provided for in section [1301, subsections (a) to (h), |
12 | inclusive,] 1301.1 official absentee ballots or special write-in |
13 | absentee ballots as prescribed by subsection (d) of section 1303 |
14 | when official absentee ballots are not yet printed; as |
15 | additional applications of such electors are received, the board |
16 | shall deliver or mail official absentee ballots or special |
17 | write-in absentee ballots when official absentee ballots are not |
18 | yet printed to such additional electors within forty-eight hours |
19 | after approval of their application. If the calling of a special |
20 | election would make it impossible to comply with the forty-five |
21 | day delivery or mailing requirement of this section, then the |
22 | county board of elections shall mail absentee ballots or special |
23 | write-in absentee ballots within five days of the county board's |
24 | receipt of the information necessary to prepare said ballots. |
25 | (b) [The county board of elections upon receipt and approval |
26 | of an application filed by any elector qualified in accordance |
27 | with the provisions of section 1301, subsections (i) to (l), |
28 | inclusive, shall commence to deliver or mail official absentee |
29 | ballots on the second Tuesday prior to the primary or election. |
30 | As additional applications are received and approved, the board |
|
1 | shall deliver or mail official absentee ballots to such |
2 | additional electors within forty-eight hours.] (Reserved). |
3 | Section 11. Section 1306(a) of the act, amended November 9, |
4 | 2006 (P.L.1330, No.137), is amended to read: |
5 | Section 1306. Voting by Absentee Electors.--(a) Except as |
6 | provided in paragraphs (1), (2) and (3), at any time after |
7 | receiving an official absentee ballot, but on or before five |
8 | o'clock P.M. on the Friday prior to the primary or election, the |
9 | elector shall, in secret, proceed to mark the ballot only in |
10 | black lead pencil, indelible pencil or blue, black or blue-black |
11 | ink, in fountain pen or ball point pen, and then fold the |
12 | ballot, enclose and securely seal the same in the envelope on |
13 | which is printed, stamped or endorsed "Official Absentee |
14 | Ballot." |
15 | (1) Any elector who submits an Emergency Application and |
16 | receives an absentee ballot in accordance with section 1302.1(a. |
17 | 2) or (c) shall mark the ballot on or before eight o'clock P.M. |
18 | on the day of the primary or election. This envelope shall then |
19 | be placed in the second one, on which is printed the form of |
20 | declaration of the elector, and the address of the elector's |
21 | county board of election and the local election district of the |
22 | elector. The elector shall then fill out, date and sign the |
23 | declaration printed on such envelope. Such envelope shall then |
24 | be securely sealed and the elector shall send same by mail, |
25 | postage prepaid, except where franked, or deliver it in person |
26 | to said county board of election. |
27 | (2) [Any elector, spouse of the elector or dependent of the |
28 | elector, qualified in accordance with the provisions of section |
29 | 1301, subsections (e), (f), (g) and (h) to vote by absentee |
30 | ballot as herein provided, shall be required to include on the |
|
1 | form of declaration a supporting declaration in form prescribed |
2 | by the Secretary of the Commonwealth, to be signed by the head |
3 | of the department or chief of division or bureau in which the |
4 | elector is employed, setting forth the identity of the elector, |
5 | spouse of the elector or dependent of the elector.] (Reserved). |
6 | (3) Any elector who has filed his application in accordance |
7 | with section 1302 subsection (e)(2), and is unable to sign his |
8 | declaration because of illness or physical disability, shall be |
9 | excused from signing upon making a declaration which shall be |
10 | witnessed by one adult person in substantially the following |
11 | form: I hereby declare that I am unable to sign my declaration |
12 | for voting my absentee ballot without assistance because I am |
13 | unable to write by reason of my illness or physical disability. |
14 | I have made or received assistance in making my mark in lieu of |
15 | my signature. |
16 | | ....................(Mark) | 17 | ............................ | | 18 | (Date) | | 19 | | ........................ | 20 | | (Signature of Witness) | 21 | ........................... | | 22 | (Complete Address of Witness) | |
|
23 | * * * |
24 | Section 12. Section 1306.1 of the act, amended December 9, |
25 | 2002 (P.L.1246, No.150), is amended to read: |
26 | Section 1306.1. Assistance in Voting by Certain Absentee |
27 | Electors.-- |
28 | Any elector [qualified to vote] voting with an official |
29 | absentee ballot in accordance with the provisions of section |
30 | [1301, subsection (k)] 1301.1, may receive assistance in voting |
|
1 | (1) if there is recorded on his registration card his |
2 | declaration that he has a physical disability which renders him |
3 | unable to see or mark the official absentee ballot, the exact |
4 | nature of such disability being recorded on such registration |
5 | card; (2) if such elector requiring assistance submits with his |
6 | application for an official absentee ballot, a statement setting |
7 | forth the precise nature of the disability which renders him |
8 | unable to see or mark the official absentee ballot and that to |
9 | the best of his knowledge and belief he will still suffer from |
10 | the said physical disability at the time of voting his official |
11 | absentee ballot. He shall acknowledge the same before an officer |
12 | qualified to take acknowledgement of deeds. Such statement shall |
13 | be in substantially the following form: |
14 | Statement of Absentee Elector Requiring Assistance |
15 | I, ............................................, hereby state |
16 | (Name of voter requiring assistance) |
17 | that I require assistance in marking the official absentee |
18 | ballot for the primary or election held .................., |
19 | (Date) |
20 | 19..., that will be issued to me for the following reason: |
21 | .............................................................. |
22 | (Insert nature of disability) |
23 | ......................................... |
24 | (Signature or mark of elector) |
25 | ................................... |
26 | (Date of signature or mark) |
27 | ss |
28 | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania: |
29 | County of ..................: |
30 | On this..........day of.........., 19...., before me, |
|
1 | ........................, the undersigned officer personally |
2 | appeared......................., known to me (or satisfactorily |
3 | proven) to be the person whose signature or mark appears on the |
4 | within instrument and acknowledged the same for the purposes |
5 | therein contained. |
6 | In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and official |
7 | seal |
8 | ........................ |
9 | (Title of Officer) |
10 | Upon receipt of the official absentee ballot, such elector |
11 | requiring assistance may select a person to assist him in |
12 | voting, such assistance to be rendered in secret: Provided, |
13 | however, That the person rendering assistance may not be the |
14 | elector's employer or an agent of the employer or an officer or |
15 | agent of the elector's union. The person rendering the |
16 | assistance in voting shall complete, date and sign the |
17 | declaration in such form approved by the Secretary of the |
18 | Commonwealth, or substantially in the form as set forth below, |
19 | that the person has caused the elector's ballot to be marked in |
20 | accordance with such elector's desires and instruction. Such |
21 | declaration form shall be returned to the county board of |
22 | elections in the mailing envelope addressed to the county board |
23 | of elections within which the small "official absentee ballot" |
24 | is returned. |
25 | Declaration of Person Rendering Assistance |
26 | I, ......................................., |
27 | (Name of Person rendering assistance) |
28 | hereby declare that I have witnessed the aforesaid elector's |
29 | signature or mark and that I have caused the aforesaid elector's |
30 | ballot to be marked in accordance with the desires and |
|
1 | instructions of the aforesaid elector. |
2 | .............................................. |
3 | (Signature of Person Rendering Assistance) |
4 | .............................................. |
5 | (Address) |
6 | Section 13. Sections 1308(g) and 1331 of the act, amended or |
7 | added May 12, 2006 (P.L.178, No.45), are amended to read: |
8 | Section 1308. Canvassing of Official Absentee Ballots.--* * |
9 | * |
10 | (g) (1) An absentee ballot cast by any absentee elector as |
11 | defined in section [1301(a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g) and |
12 | (h)] 1301.1 which is received in the office of the county board |
13 | of elections after five o'clock P.M. on the Friday immediately |
14 | preceding the election and no later than five o'clock P.M. on |
15 | the seventh day following an election shall be canvassed in |
16 | accordance with this subsection if the absentee ballot is |
17 | postmarked no later than the day immediately preceding the |
18 | election. |
19 | (2) The county board of elections shall meet on the eighth |
20 | day following the election to canvass the absentee ballots |
21 | received under this subsection. One authorized representative of |
22 | each candidate in an election and one representative from each |
23 | political party shall be permitted to remain in the room in |
24 | which the absentee ballots are canvassed. Representatives shall |
25 | be permitted to challenge any absentee elector in accordance |
26 | with the provisions of paragraph (3). |
27 | (3) When the county board meets to canvass absentee ballots |
28 | under paragraph (2), the board shall examine the declaration on |
29 | the envelope of each ballot not set aside under subsection (d) |
30 | and shall compare the information thereon with that contained in |
|
1 | the "Registered Absentee Voters File," the absentee voters' list |
2 | and/or the "Military Veterans and Emergency Civilians Absentee |
3 | Voters File," whichever is applicable. If the county board is |
4 | satisfied that the declaration is sufficient and the information |
5 | contained in the "Registered Absentee Voters File," the absentee |
6 | voters' list and/or the "Military Veterans and Emergency |
7 | Civilians Absentee Voters File" verifies his right to vote, the |
8 | county board shall announce the name of the elector and shall |
9 | give any candidate representative or party representative |
10 | present an opportunity to challenge any absentee elector upon |
11 | the ground [or grounds: (i)] that the absentee elector is not a |
12 | qualified elector[; or (ii) that the absentee elector was within |
13 | the municipality of his residence on the day of the primary or |
14 | election during the period the polls were open, except where he |
15 | was in the military service or except in the case where his |
16 | ballot was obtained for the reason that he was unable to appear |
17 | personally at the polling place because of illness or physical |
18 | disability; or (iii) that the absentee elector was able to |
19 | appear personally at the polling place on the day of the primary |
20 | or election during the period the polls were open in the case |
21 | his ballot was obtained for the reason that he was unable to |
22 | appear personally at the polling place because of illness or |
23 | physical disability]. Upon challenge of any absentee elector, as |
24 | set forth herein, the board shall mark "challenged" on the |
25 | envelope together with the reasons therefor, and the same shall |
26 | be set aside unopened pending final determination of the |
27 | challenge according to the procedure described in paragraph (5). |
28 | (4) All absentee ballots not challenged for any of the |
29 | reasons provided in paragraph (3) shall be counted and included |
30 | with the returns of the applicable election district as follows. |
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1 | The county board shall open the envelope of every unchallenged |
2 | absentee elector in such manner as not to destroy the |
3 | declaration executed thereon. If any of the envelopes on which |
4 | are printed, stamped or endorsed the words "Official Absentee |
5 | Ballot" contain any extraneous marks or identifying symbols, the |
6 | envelopes and the ballots contained therein shall be set aside |
7 | and declared void. The county board shall then break the seals |
8 | of such envelopes, remove the ballots and record the votes. |
9 | (5) With respect to the challenged ballots, they shall be |
10 | placed unopened in a secure, safe and sealed container in the |
11 | custody of the county board until it shall fix a time and place |
12 | for a formal hearing of all such challenges, and notice shall be |
13 | given where possible to all absentee electors thus challenged |
14 | and to every individual who made a challenge. The time for the |
15 | hearing shall not be later than five (5) days after the date of |
16 | the challenge. On the day fixed for said hearing, the county |
17 | board shall proceed without delay to hear said challenges, and, |
18 | in hearing the testimony, the county board shall not be bound by |
19 | the Pennsylvania Rules of Evidence. The testimony presented |
20 | shall be stenographically recorded and made part of the record |
21 | of the hearing. |
22 | (6) The decision of the county board in upholding or |
23 | dismissing any challenge may be reviewed by the court of common |
24 | pleas of the county upon a petition filed by any person |
25 | aggrieved by the decision of the county board. The appeal shall |
26 | be taken, within two (2) days after the decision was made, |
27 | whether the decision was reduced to writing or not, to the court |
28 | of common pleas setting forth the objections to the county |
29 | board's decision and praying for an order reversing the |
30 | decision. |
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1 | (7) Pending the final determination of all appeals, the |
2 | county board shall suspend any action in canvassing and |
3 | computing all challenged ballots received under this subsection |
4 | irrespective of whether or not appeal was taken from the county |
5 | board's decision. Upon completion of the computation of the |
6 | returns of the county, the votes cast upon the challenged |
7 | official absentee ballots that have been finally determined to |
8 | be valid shall be added to the other votes cast within the |
9 | county. |
10 | Section 1331. Violation of Provisions Relating to Absentee |
11 | Voting.--(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), any person |
12 | who shall violate any of the provisions of this act relating to |
13 | absentee voting shall, unless otherwise provided, be subject to |
14 | the penalties provided for in section 1850 of this act. |
15 | (b) Any person who knowingly assists another person who is |
16 | not [a qualified] an absentee elector in filling out an absentee |
17 | ballot application or absentee ballot commits a misdemeanor of |
18 | the third degree. |
19 | Section 14. This act shall take effect in 60 days. |
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