BILL ANALYSIS �
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ELECTIONS
AND CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Senator Norma J. Torres, Chair
BILL NO: SB 637 HEARING DATE:7/2/13
AUTHOR: YEE ANALYSIS BY:Darren Chesin
AMENDED: 6/25/13
FISCAL: YES
SUBJECT
Early voting: Saturdays
DESCRIPTION
Existing law provides, between 29 days prior to an election
and the close of the polls on Election Day, that any voter
may request and vote a vote by mail (VBM) ballot at the
office of the elections official. For purposes of this
provision, the office of an elections official may include
satellite locations. VBM ballots voted at these satellite
locations must be placed in a voter identification envelope
to be completed by the voter. However, if the elections
official utilizes electronic voting devices, the VBM ballot
may be cast on an electronic voting device.
Existing law permits, but does not require, elections
officials to allow voters to cast VBM ballots prior to an
election at their offices or satellite locations on
weekends or at times beyond regular office hours.
This bill requires on at least one Saturday on or after the
date an elections official first delivers ballots to vote
by mail (VBM) voters for a statewide election, or for any
other election as determined by the elections official
based on voter demand, the elections official shall allow
voters to vote in the election by means of early voting at
an early voting location designated for this purpose,
provided that the location is accessible and complies with
disability access requirements under federal and state law.
The elections official may determine the hours of
operation for the designated early voting location or
locations for each Saturday on which early voting is
offered pursuant to this bill, provided that each location
must be open to voters for a minimum of four hours on each
designated Saturday.
This bill provides that the early voting requirement does
not apply to an election conducted wholly by mail or to an
all-mail ballot precinct.
This bill defines "early voting" as voting a VBM 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.
This bill would require the Secretary of State (SOS) to
provide guidance to local elections officials in
accomplishing all of the following for purposes of
promoting and expanding the practice of early voting:
Establishing one or more locations for early voting which
may include the office of local elections officials.
Notifying voters of early voting locations.
Ensuring that the early voting location or locations and
the procedures used therein comply with disability access
requirements under federal and state law.
This bill would take effect immediately as an urgency
statute.
BACKGROUND
Current Saturday Voting in California . In conjunction with
the November 6, 2012 General Election, the Los Angeles
County Registrar of Voters conducted a survey of county
elections officials regarding Saturday voting in which 41
counties responded. That survey indicated that 25 counties
representing over 82% of all statewide registered voters
provided voters an opportunity to cast ballots during one
or more Saturdays prior to the election.
Other States . According to the National Conference of
State Legislatures (NCSL), in 32 states (including
California) and the District of Columbia, any qualified
voter may cast a ballot in person during a designated
period prior to Election Day with no excuse or
justification required. It is unclear from the NCSL data
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which of these states provided early voting opportunities
on Saturdays.
COMMENTS
1.According to the Author : Early voting is a practice
that allows voters to conveniently cast their vote
prior to Election Day. According to the National
Conference of State Legislatures, 32 states and the
District of Columbia offer early voting opportunities.
California allows for early voting in person at county
elections offices, as well as no-excuse absentee
voting. In some counties, early voting practices also
include voting at convenient locations outside of
county elections offices.
According to election results certified by the Secretary
of State, about 72% of the state's 18,245,970
registered voters participated in the 2012 general
election. SB 637 will increase voter outreach and
early voting opportunities in California, and therefore
allow for increased voter participation for future
elections.
Voters may cast their vote prior to the designated
Election Day through an absentee ballot, or by visiting
their local county elections office (or designated
office) within the in-person voting period. However
for whatever reason that a voter is not able to make it
to their polling location on Election Day, or might not
have adequate time to request a vote-by-mail ballot and
have it mailed and received by Election Day, they may
go to the designated early voting location in their
county and cast their vote early.
For many working class families, the current system
might not be the most convenient. In larger counties,
the county elections office might not necessarily be
the most convenient or accessible location. And their
regular hours of operation make it even more difficult
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for a voter to get to after working a full day's shift.
Saturday voting, at a convenient and accessible
location, can not only increase voter turnout, but
brings an opportunity for parents to engage their
children and teach them about the democratic process.
2.The State of State Election Mandates : The 2011-2012,
2012-2013, and 2013-2014 state budgets included the
suspension of various state mandates as a mechanism for
cost savings. Included on the list of suspensions were
all existing elections-related mandates. The Committee
may wish to consider whether it is desirable to create
new election mandates when current elections-related
mandates are suspended especially in light of the
information stated above that 25 counties representing
over 82% of all statewide registered voters already
provided voters an opportunity to cast ballots during one
or more Saturdays prior to the last General Election.
POSITIONS
Sponsor: Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
Local 1000
Support: American Federation of State, County and Municipal
Employees
California Association of Psychiatric Technicians
California Common Cause
California Labor Federation
California Professional Firefighters
California School Employees Association
Disability Rights California
Union of American Physicians and Dentists,
AFSCME-Local 206
Oppose: None received
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