BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 363
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Date of Hearing: May 27, 2015
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Jimmy Gomez, Chair
AB
363 (Steinorth) - As Amended May 19, 2015
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Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program: NoReimbursable: No
SUMMARY:
This bill:
1)Authorizes county elections officials, on election day, to
AB 363
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begin accounting and processing polling place ballots during
the day, by delivery to a receiving center or central counting
place, instead of waiting until the closing of the polls, as
specified.
2)Requires the elections officials, to notify the public 48
hours before election day of the times and places where ballot
containers would be delivered per the above.
3)Requires the Secretary of State (SOS) to adopt regulations
addressing the secure delivery and transfer of ballots per the
above.
FISCAL EFFECT:
One-time General Fund costs of around $50,000 to the SOS to
adopt regulations.
COMMENTS:
1)Background. Once the polls close, current law requires members
of the precinct board to account for ballots delivered to them
whether voted, unused, spoiled, or canceled. This process is
commonly known as ballot reconciliation. Existing law
prohibits a ballot container from being opened until after the
polls are closed and further prohibits the removal of a ballot
container from a polling place until all ballots are counted.
Once reconciliation is completed ballot containers are allowed
to be delivered to their assigned receiving center or central
counting location for processing.
AB 363
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2)Purpose. This bill permits the ballot reconciliation process
to begin before the polls close, instead of after the polls
close, and allows ballot containers to be transported to a
receiving center or central counting place for ballot
reconciliation and processing before the polls close.
According to the author and the proponents, this new procedure
is a much needed option for county elections officials,
especially for counties with large land area. Proponents
contend this new ballot reconciliation process will provide
for more timely results, reduce election administrative costs,
and increase overall election efficiency.
Analysis Prepared by:Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916)
319-2081