BILL ANALYSIS
AB 1525
Page 1
CONCURRENCE IN SENATE AMENDMENTS
AB 1525 (Beall)
As Amended June 25, 2009
Majority vote
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|ASSEMBLY: |78-0 |(May 11, 2009) |SENATE: |38-0 |(September 2, |
| | | | | |2009) |
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Original Committee Reference: E. & R.
SUMMARY : Permits any voter to request a recount in an election
conducted in more than one county, but not statewide, within
five days beginning on the 29th day after the election, instead
of within five days of the completion of the official canvass.
The Senate amendments made various changes that were
subsequently removed from this bill, thereby restoring the bill
to the version that was previously approved by the Assembly.
AS PASSED BY THE ASSEMBLY , this bill was identical to the Senate
approved version.
FISCAL EFFECT : According to the Senate Appropriations
Committee, pursuant to Senate Rule 28.8, negligible state costs.
COMMENTS : According to the author, "Current law provides that a
voter must submit a request for a recount in writing to the
elections official responsible for conducting the election
within five days following the completion of the official
canvass (Elections Code Section 15620).
"Requesting a recount is a county-by-county process whereby a
voter must request, in writing, a recount within five days
following the completion of the official canvass in each county
where he or she would like a recount to be performed.
"However, the law is not clear as to when a request must be
submitted when an election encompasses multiple counties, such
as an election for a congressional, state senate, or state
assembly district.
"The five-day window to request a recount may open at different
times depending on when each individual county completes its
AB 1525
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canvass. AB 1525 would clarify and make consistent the timeline
for a voter to request a recount by requiring the request to
occur within five days after all counties have completed their
canvas.
"This will decrease voter confusion and ensure all recounts are
requested in a consistent manner."
Analysis Prepared by : Lori Barber / E. & R. / (916) 319-2094
FN: 0002044