BILL NUMBER: AB 1424	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Knight

                        FEBRUARY 27, 2009

   An act to amend Section 3011 of the Elections Code, and to add
Section 14902.5 to the Vehicle Code, relating to elections.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   AB 1424, as introduced, Knight. Elections: vote by mail.
   Existing law requires that the identification envelope for
returning vote by mail ballots contain specified information.
   This bill would additionally require that the identification
envelope include a verification panel, concealed during mailing,
setting forth the last 4 digits of the voter's California driver's
license or identification card number or, if unavailable, the last 4
digits of the voter's social security number. The bill would require
the elections official to verify the accuracy of that information
before counting the vote.
   Because the bill would increase duties of local 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.
   AB 1424, as introduced, Knight. Elections: vote by mail.
   Existing law requires that the identification envelope for
returning vote by mail ballots contain specified information.
   This bill would additionally require that the identification
envelope include a verification panel, concealed during mailing,
setting forth the last 4 digits of the voter's California driver's
license or identification card number or, if unavailable, the last 4
digits of the voter's social security number. The bill would require
the elections official to verify the accuracy of that information
before counting the vote.
   Because the bill would increase duties of local 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 3011 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   3011.  (a) The identification envelope shall contain all of the
following  information  :
   (1) A declaration, under penalty of perjury, stating that the
voter resides within the precinct in which he or she is voting and is
the person whose name appears on the envelope.
   (2) The signature of the voter.
   (3) The residence address of the voter as shown on the affidavit
of registration.
   (4) The date of signing.
   (5) A notice that the envelope contains an official ballot and is
to be opened only by the canvassing board.
   (6) A warning plainly stamped or printed on it that voting twice
constitutes a crime.
   (7) A warning plainly stamped or printed on it that the voter must
sign the  envelope   verification panel,
described in paragraph (12),  in his or her own handwriting in
order for the ballot to be counted.
   (8) A statement that the voter has neither applied, nor intends to
apply, for a vote by mail voter's ballot from any other jurisdiction
for the same election.
   (9) The name of the person authorized by the voter to return the
vote by mail ballot pursuant to Section 3017.
   (10) The relationship to the voter of the person authorized to
return the vote by mail ballot.
   (11) The signature of the person authorized to return the vote by
mail ballot. 
   (12) A verification panel, concealed during mailing, requiring the
last four digits of the voter's California driver's license number
or California identification card number or, if neither is available,
the last four digits of the voter's social security number. 
   (b) Except at a primary election for partisan office, and
notwithstanding any other provision of law, the vote by mail voter's
party affiliation may not be stamped or printed on the identification
envelope.
    (c) (1) An elections official shall verify that the
information provided pursuant to paragraph (12) of subdivision (a) is
from the California driver's license or California identification
card or social security number issued to the voter submitting the
vote by mail ballot before the vote may be counted. 
    (2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a valid ballot cast
pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act
(42 U.S.C. Sec. 1973ff-1 et seq.). 
  SEC. 2.  Section 14902.5 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:
   14902.5.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the fee for
an original or replacement identification card shall be waived for a
person who requests the identification card for purposes of
satisfying the verification panel requirement of Section 3011 of the
Elections Code.
  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.
  SECTION 1.  Section 3011 of the Elections Code is amended to read:
   3011.  (a) The identification envelope shall contain all of the
following  information  :
   (1) A declaration, under penalty of perjury, stating that the
voter resides within the precinct in which he or she is voting and is
the person whose name appears on the envelope.
   (2) The signature of the voter.
   (3) The residence address of the voter as shown on the affidavit
of registration.
   (4) The date of signing.
   (5) A notice that the envelope contains an official ballot and is
to be opened only by the canvassing board.
   (6) A warning plainly stamped or printed on it that voting twice
constitutes a crime.
   (7) A warning plainly stamped or printed on it that the voter must
sign the  envelope   verification panel,
described in paragraph (12),  in his or her own handwriting in
order for the ballot to be counted.
   (8) A statement that the voter has neither applied, nor intends to
apply, for a vote by mail voter's ballot from any other jurisdiction
for the same election.
   (9) The name of the person authorized by the voter to return the
vote by mail ballot pursuant to Section 3017.
   (10) The relationship to the voter of the person authorized to
return the vote by mail ballot.
   (11) The signature of the person authorized to return the vote by
mail ballot. 
   (12) A verification panel, concealed during mailing, requiring the
last four digits of the voter's California driver's license number
or California identification card number or, if neither is available,
the last four digits of the voter's social security number. 
   (b) Except at a primary election for partisan office, and
notwithstanding any other provision of law, the vote by mail voter's
party affiliation may not be stamped or printed on the identification
envelope.
    (c) (1) An elections official shall verify that the
information provided pursuant to paragraph (12) of subdivision (a) is
from the California driver's license or California identification
card or social security number issued to the voter submitting the
vote by mail ballot before the vote may be counted. 
    (2) Paragraph (1) shall not apply to a valid ballot cast
pursuant to the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act
(42 U.S.C. Sec. 1973ff-1 et seq.). 
  SEC. 2.  Section 14902.5 is added to the Vehicle Code, to read:
   14902.5.  Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the fee for
an original or replacement identification card shall be waived for a
person who requests the identification card for purposes of
satisfying the verification panel requirement of Section 3011 of the
Elections Code.
  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.