BILL ANALYSIS                                                                                                                                                                                                    �



                                                                  SB 1275
                                                                  Page  1

          Date of Hearing:   August 8, 2012

                        ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
                                Felipe Fuentes, Chair

                    SB 1275 (Lieu) - As Amended:  April 24, 2012 

          Policy Committee:                              ElectionsVote:7-0

          Urgency:     No                   State Mandated Local Program: 
          Yes    Reimbursable:              Yes

           SUMMARY  

          This bill modifies timelines associated with conducting special 
          elections to fill vacancies in congressional or legislative 
          offices in order to better facilitate compliance with federal 
          election law regarding military and oversees voters.

           FISCAL EFFECT  

          Minor savings to counties in the conduct of special elections.

           COMMENTS  

           Background and Purpose  . The Military and Overseas Voter 
          Empowerment (MOVE) Act, signed by President Obama in 2009, 
          requires that absentee ballots be sent at least 45 days before 
          an election to any oversees voter who has submitted a request by 
          that date. Under current California law, after the governor 
          announces a special election to fill a vacancy in a legislative 
          or congressional seat, a special general election must be held 
          within 112 to 126 days. Meeting both of these requirements 
          creates a time shortage that makes compliance difficult for 
          elections officials. The bill, sponsored by the Secretary of 
          State, attempts to ease this burden by changing the window when 
          a special general election can be held to between 126 to 140 
          days after the governor's announcement.

           Analysis Prepared by  :    Chuck Nicol / APPR. / (916) 319-2081