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| SPONSOR: | Cordova | DATE TYPED: | 03/12/01 | HB | 933/aHFL#1 | ||
| SHORT TITLE: | Request for Absentee Ballot | SB | |||||
| ANALYST: | Woodlee | ||||||
| Recurring
or Non-Rec |
Fund
Affected | ||||
| FY01 | FY02 | FY01 | FY02 | ||
| See Fiscal Implications Narrative | Recurring | General Fund | |||
(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)
SOURCES OF INFORMATION
Secretary of State
SUMMARY
Synopsis of House Floor Amendment #1
The House Floor Amendment #1 changes the provisions of the bill to include all means of requesting a ballot throughout the statute. With this amendment, the voter may request an absentee ballot in writing, by telephone, or in person. In addition, the amendment deletes the provision that allows a voter to request absentee ballots for their immediate family. Also, the amendment adds the option of providing a social security number to the required information for requesting an absentee ballot. The amendment substitutes references to an absentee ballot application with the term request. Finally, the amendment changes the provision that absentee voting may be done at the county clerk's office or other location from the Thursday prior to the election to the Saturday prior to the election.
Synopsis of Original Bill
House Bill 933 changes the process in which an absentee ballot may be requested by a voter.
Significant Issues
Currently, statute requires that an application for an absentee ballot may be made only on a form prescribed, printed and furnished by the Secretary of State. This bill would strike this requirement and would allow for the request to be done in writing. In addition, the bill prescribes a process in which one may request absentee ballots for themselves or their immediate family by telephone.
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS
The bill does not contain an appropriation. The agency analysis from the Secretary of State indicates that there is no fiscal implication. However, because the Secretary of State is currently charged with the prescription, printing and furnishing of the absentee ballot applications, then there is a slight cost associated with these activities, ranging between $5.0 and $10.0 per election. In addition, in FY99 the agency expended $32.8 on instructions for absentee voters. It is unclear if these instructions will be necessary if the application form is discarded.
MW/njw