AB-530 Vote by mail ballots: telephone applications.(2013-2014)
An act to amend Section 3001 of, and to add Section 3007.8 to, the Elections Code, relating to vote by mail ballots.
[ Approved by Governor October 03, 2013. Filed with Secretary of State October 03, 2013. ]
AB 530, Quirk-Silva. Vote by mail ballots: telephone applications.
Existing law requires that application for a vote by mail voter's ballot be made in writing to the elections official having jurisdiction over the election during a specified period prior to the election, subject to specified exceptions.
This bill would create an additional exception to this requirement by authorizing a local elections official to offer a voter the ability to apply for a vote by mail voter's ballot by telephone. The bill would require a telephone applicant for a vote by mail voter's ballot to provide specified information to the elections official. The bill would prohibit a person from applying for a vote by mail voter's ballot by telephone using the name of, or on behalf of, another person.
Section 3001 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
Except as provided in Chapter 3 (commencing with Section 3200) and Sections 3007.5, 3007.7, and 3007.8, application for a vote by mail voter's ballot shall be made in writing to the elections official having jurisdiction over the election between the 29th and the 7th day prior to the election. The application shall be signed by the applicant and shall show his or her place of residence. Any applications received by the elections official prior to the 29th day shall be kept and processed during the application period.
SEC. 2.
Section 3007.8 is added to the Elections Code, to read:
(a) A local elections official may offer a voter the ability to apply for a vote by mail voter's ballot by telephone.
(b) To apply by telephone, the applicant shall provide to the elections official personal identifying information that matches the information contained on the applicant's affidavit of registration, including first and last name, home address, and date of birth. The applicant's signature shall not be required.
(c) A person shall not apply for a vote by mail voter's ballot pursuant to this section using the name of, or on behalf of, another person.
(d) Prior to being asked for personal identifying information, an applicant applying for a vote by mail voter's ballot pursuant to this section shall be advised as follows:
"Only the registered voter himself or herself may apply for a vote by mail ballot. An application for a vote by mail ballot that is made by any person other than the registered voter is a criminal offense."
(e) Except as otherwise provided in this section, all provisions of this code governing written applications for vote by mail voter's ballots shall apply to applications made by telephone.