Bill Text: CA SB637 | 2013-2014 | Regular Session | Amended

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

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Bill Title: Early voting.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-02-03 - Returned to Secretary of Senate pursuant to Joint Rule 56. [SB637 Detail]

Download: California-2013-SB637-Amended.html

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BILL NUMBER: SB 637	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  MAY 13, 2013
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 25, 2013
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 11, 2013

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Yee

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2013

   An act to add Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 3300) to Division
3 of the Elections Code, relating to voting  , and declaring the
urgency thereof, to take   effect immediately  .


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 637, as amended, Yee. Early voting.
   Existing law establishes procedures for voters to apply for a vote
by mail ballot and use the ballot to vote in an election. Existing
law allows a jurisdiction in which vote by mail ballots are cast to
begin processing vote by mail ballots 29 days before the election.
   This bill would require the Secretary of State to assist local
elections officials in performing specified tasks for the purpose of
promoting and expanding the practice of early voting, as defined,
consistent with specified statutory authority. The bill would define
"early voting" to mean voting a vote by mail ballot in person at the
office of the elections official or another location designated by
the elections official either before or on the day of the election.
The bill would require the Secretary of State to report to the
Legislature by January 1, 2015, regarding the assistance provided to
local elections officials pursuant to the bill and the results
achieved by local elections officials in promoting and expanding the
practice of early voting. This reporting requirement would become
inoperative on January 1, 2018.
    The bill would require a local elections official, on a Saturday
occurring at least 14 calendar days prior to an election administered
by the elections official, to allow voters to vote by means of early
voting at a location that is convenient, accessible, and complies
with disability access requirements under federal and state law.
   By requiring local elections officials to perform additional
duties, this bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
   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. 
   This bill would declare that it is to take effect immediately as
an urgency statute. 
   Vote:  majority   2/3  . Appropriation:
no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: yes.


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

  SECTION 1.  It is the intent of the Legislature in enacting this
act to make voting more convenient and accessible in order to
increase voter turnout at elections.
  SEC. 2.  Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 3300) is added to
Division 3 of the Elections Code, to read:
      CHAPTER 4.  EARLY VOTING


   3300.  For purposes of this chapter, "early voting" means voting a
vote by mail ballot in person at the office of the elections
official or another location designated by the elections official
either before or on the day of the election.
   3301.  (a) For purposes of promoting and expanding the practice of
early voting consistent with the authority granted by this division,
the Secretary of State shall assist local elections officials in
accomplishing all of the following:
   (1) Establishing multiple locations for early voting, in addition
to the offices of local elections officials.
   (2) Notifying voters of early voting locations in all ballot
materials sent to voters and through the use of other promotional
materials and methods.
   (3) Ensuring that early voting locations and procedures comply
with disability access requirements under federal and state law.
   (b) In assisting local elections officials pursuant to subdivision
(a), the Secretary of State shall consider practices used in other
states to provide for voting before the day of the election.
   (c) (1) The Secretary of State shall report to the Legislature by
January 1, 2015, regarding the assistance provided to local elections
officials pursuant to this section and the results achieved by local
elections officials in promoting and expanding the practice of early
voting.
   (2) The report required by paragraph (1) shall be submitted in
compliance with Section 9795 of the Government Code.
   (3) Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code, this
subdivision shall become inoperative on January 1, 2018.
   3302.  On a Saturday occurring at least 14 calendar days prior to
an election administered by a local elections official, the elections
official shall allow voters to vote by means of early voting at a
location that is convenient, accessible, and complies with disability
access requirements under federal and state law.
  SEC. 3.  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.
   SEC. 4.    This act is an urgency statute necessary
for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety
within the meaning of Article IV of the Constitution and shall go
into immediate effect. The facts constituting the necessity are:
 
   In order for elections officials to provide voters with increased
opportunities for early voting at the earliest possible election
dates, it is necessary that this act take effect immediately.