BILL NUMBER: AB 477	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  APRIL 5, 2011
	AMENDED IN ASSEMBLY  MARCH 14, 2011

INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Valadao
   (Coauthors: Assembly Members Fletcher, Garrick,  Grove, 
 Huffman,  Jeffries,  Knight,  and Silva)
   (Coauthor: Senator Runner)

                        FEBRUARY 15, 2011

   An act to add Section 3103.7 to the Elections Code, relating to
elections.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 477, as amended, Valadao. Elections: vote by mail ballots.
   Existing law requires that a vote by mail ballot be received by
the issuing elections official or the precinct board no later than
the close of polls on election day.
   This bill would make an exception for special absentee voters, as
defined, temporarily living outside of the territorial limits of the
United States and the District of Columbia and would instead require
that their vote by mail ballots be postmarked on or before election
day and received by their elections officials not later than 
14   10  days after election day.
   Because the bill would impose additional duties on elections
officials, it 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.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: yes.


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

  SECTION 1.  Section 3103.7 is added to the Elections Code, to read:

   3103.7.  Notwithstanding Section 3020, 3311, or 4103, or any other
provision of law, a vote by mail ballot of a special absentee voter
under subdivision (b) of Section 300 who is temporarily living
outside of the territorial limits of the United States and the
District of Columbia shall be timely cast if it is postmarked by the
United States Postal Service or the Military Postal Service Agency on
or before election day and received by the voter's elections
official not later than  14   10  days
after election day.
  SEC. 2.   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.