BILL NUMBER: SB 637	AMENDED
	BILL TEXT

	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 25, 2013
	AMENDED IN SENATE  APRIL 11, 2013

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Yee

                        FEBRUARY 22, 2013

   An act to add Chapter 4 (commencing with Section 3300) to Division
3 of the Elections Code, relating to voting.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SB 637, as amended, Yee. Early voting.
   Existing law establishes procedures for voters to apply for a vote
by mail ballot and use the ballot to vote in an election. Existing
law allows a jurisdiction in which vote by mail ballots are cast to
begin processing vote by mail ballots 29 days before the election.
   This bill would require the Secretary of State to assist local
elections officials in  performing specified tasks for the
purpose of  promoting and expanding the practice of early
voting, as defined, consistent with specified statutory authority.
The bill would define "early voting" to mean voting a vote by mail
ballot in person at the office of the elections official or another
location designated by the elections official either before or on the
day of the election. The bill would require the Secretary of State
to report to the Legislature by January 1, 2015, regarding the
assistance provided to local elections officials pursuant to the bill
and the results achieved by local elections officials in promoting
and expanding the practice of early voting. This reporting
requirement would become inoperative on January 1, 2018. 
    The bill would require a local elections official, on a Saturday
occurring at least 14 calendar days prior to an election administered
by the elections official, to allow voters to vote by means of early
voting at a location that is convenient, accessible, and complies
with disability access requirements under federal and state law.
 
   By requiring local elections officials to perform additional
duties, this bill 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:  no   yes  .


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

   SECTION 1.    It is the intent of the Legislature in
enacting this act to make voting more convenient and accessible in
order to increase voter turnout at elections. 
   SECTION 1.   SEC. 2.   Chapter 4
(commencing with Section 3300) is added to Division 3 of the
Elections Code, to read:
      CHAPTER 4.  EARLY VOTING.


   3300.  For purposes of this chapter, "early voting" means voting a
vote by mail ballot in person at the office of the elections
official or another location designated by the elections official
either before or on the day of the election.
   3301.  (a)  The Secretary of State shall assist local
elections officials in   For purposes of  promoting
and expanding the practice of early voting consistent with the
authority granted by this division  . In providing assistance
to local elections officials pursuant to this section  ,
the Secretary of State shall  consider   assist
local elections   officials in accomplishing  all of
the following:
   (1)  The feasibility of establishing  
Establishing multiple  locations  for early voting,  in
addition to  county registrar's offices for early voting
  the offices of local elections officials  . 
   (2) Notifying voters of early voting locations in all ballot
materials sent to voters and through the use of other promotional
materials and methods.  
   (2) Practices used in other states to provide for voting before
the day of the election. 
   (3) Ensuring that early voting locations and procedures comply
with disability access requirements under federal and state law. 

   (b) In assisting local elections officials pursuant to subdivision
(a), the Secretary of State shall consider practices used in other
states to provide for voting before the day of the election. 

   (b) 
    (c)   (1)    The Secretary of State
shall report to the Legislature by January 1, 2015, regarding the
assistance provided to local elections officials pursuant to this
section and the results achieved by local elections officials in
promoting and expanding the practice of early voting. 
   (1) 
    (2)  The report required by  this subdivision
  paragraph (1)  shall be submitted in compliance
with Section 9795 of the Government Code. 
   (2) 
    (3)  Pursuant to Section 10231.5 of the Government Code,
this subdivision shall become inoperative on January 1, 2018. 
   3302.  On a Saturday occurring at least 14 calendar days prior to
an election administered by a local elections official, the elections
official shall allow voters to vote by means of early voting at a
location that is convenient, accessible, and complies with disability
access requirements under federal and state law. 
   SEC. 3.    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.