BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1249
Page 1
ASSEMBLY THIRD READING
AB 1249 (Daucher)
As Introduced February 23, 2001
Majority vote
ELECTIONS 15-0 APPROPRIATIONS 21-0
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|Ayes:|Longville, Ashburn, |Ayes:|Migden, Bates, Alquist, |
| |Aanestad, | |Aroner, Ashburn, Cedillo, |
| |Bill Campbell, Cardenas, | |Corbett, Correa, Daucher, |
| |Cardoza, Daucher, | |Goldberg, Maldonado, |
| |Firebaugh, Horton, Kehoe, | |Robert Pacheco, Papan, |
| |Leonard, Nakano, Oropeza, | |Pavley, Runner, Simitian, |
| |Shelley, Vargas | |Thomson, Wesson, Wiggins, |
| | | |Wright, Zettel |
|-----+--------------------------+-----+--------------------------|
| | | | |
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SUMMARY : Requires the Secretary of State (SOS) to reimburse
county elections officials for any postage costs associated with
the return of absentee ballots. Specifically, this bill :
1)Requires the SOS to reimburse county elections officials for
any postage costs associated with the return of absentee
ballots for a five-year period.
2)Requires county election officials, within three years of
enactment of this section, to report to the SOS on the impact
of providing free postage to voters for returning absentee
ballots and absentee ballot applications.
3)Requires the SOS to report these findings to the Legislature.
EXISTING LAW requires:
1)That counties administer an absentee ballot program, and that
any voter be eligible to apply for and vote an absentee
ballot.
2)The state to reimburses counties for all costs associated with
their absentee ballot program. This reimbursement includes
postage costs associated with the mailing of absentee ballot
applications and ballots. The cost of the postage to return
AB 1249
Page 2
the ballot is paid for by the voter.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Appropriations Committee,
reimbursable General Fund costs exceeding $1 million per year
for absentee ballot postage on state elections. (According to
the SOS, there were over 2.7 million returned absentee ballots
for the November 2000 election, which at the current postal
rates would cost over $918,000. There would be additional
postage costs for local and special elections.) The would also
be minor reimbursable costs (less than $100,000) for county
reports to the Secretary of State.
COMMENTS : According to the author, "[r]ecent substantial
increases in requests for absentee applications and the use of
absentee ballots shows that this form of voting helps voters to
fit voting into their busy lifestyles. Simplifying the process
for voters to cast their votes should help to encourage
participation and increase voter turnout."
The Assembly may wish to consider whether the SOS is the
appropriate entity for providing the reimbursement. Mechanisms
are already in place in the State Controller's office for the
submission of reimbursement claims.
The absentee ballot program required by the state and
implemented by county election officials is a fully reimbursable
mandate. The only portion of the program not paid for by the
state is the postage paid by voters to return their absentee
application and ballot.
Minnesota and Maine currently pay the cost for absentee ballots
to be returned.
Analysis Prepared by : Lloyd Levine / E., R. & C. A. / (916)
319-2094
FN: 0001462