BILL NUMBER:  AB 1681
  VETOED	DATE: 09/30/2010




To the Members of the California State Assembly:

I am returning Assembly Bill 1681 without my signature.

This bill would create a pilot program allowing Yolo County to
conduct all-mail ballot elections on no more than three different
dates.  As stated in my veto message for a similar bill in 2009, any
voter who prefers to vote by mail has the ability to do so under
existing law by applying to become a permanent vote by mail voter.
While I appreciate the author's inclusion of additional polling
places in this year's measure, I remain concerned that with limited
options to vote in-person citizens - especially poor, elderly, and
disabled voters - would not have sufficient opportunity to vote.

Earlier this year I signed legislation to allow county elections
officials to consider permanent vote-by-mail voters when creating
precincts.  I believe this approach offers flexibility for counties
while maintaining an appropriate number of polling places for
citizens to vote in-person.  By relying solely on the vote by mail
process, this bill could undermine public confidence in the electoral
system by limiting in-person voting options and relying solely on
vote by mail ballots, which are susceptible to fraud.

For these reasons I am unable to sign this bill.

Sincerely,



Arnold Schwarzenegger