BILL NUMBER: SB 362	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Senator Padilla

                        FEBRUARY 20, 2013

   An act to add Section 19006 to, the Elections Code, relating to
voting.



	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 362, as introduced, Padilla. Voting procedures: natural
disasters.
   Existing law designates the Secretary of State as the chief
elections officer of the state and requires him or her to study and
adopt regulations governing the use of voting machines, voting
devices, vote tabulating devices, and ballot marking systems.
Existing law also establishes procedures for the marking and counting
of ballots in the case of electrical failure or other emergency.
   This bill would make legislative findings relating to natural
disasters and their effect on a state resident's ability to vote. The
bill would require the Governor and the Secretary of State to
establish voting procedures and guidelines for voters affected by
natural disasters.
   Vote: majority. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes.
State-mandated local program: no.


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

  SECTION 1.  The Legislature finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) Natural disasters within California, the United States, or
other parts of the world can affect a state resident's ability to
vote. Earthquakes, hurricanes, and other disasters can destroy or
damage election infrastructure, including the electrical and
telecommunications grid and polling places, disrupt the delivery of
vote-by-mail ballots by the United States Postal Service, and
displace election officials and interrupt their duties.
   (b) California residents volunteer to help victims of natural
disasters, including their family members. California voters, such as
firefighters, police officers, National Guardsmen, utility workers,
and average citizens travel to areas affected by disasters for
extended periods of time to help with recovery efforts that can
include other states and countries. Disasters and volunteer efforts
can occur close to an election and affect a volunteer's ability to
vote.
   (c) Currently, neither the Governor, the Secretary of State, nor
county elections official has the authority to establish procedures
and guidelines to specifically allow residents affected by a disaster
to vote.
  SEC. 2.  Section 19006 is added to the Elections Code, to read:
   19006.  The Governor and the Secretary of State shall establish
voting procedures and guidelines for voters affected by natural
disasters.