Brief Description: Changing deadlines for election ballots delivered by mail.

Sponsors: Representatives Hunt, Wallace, Armstrong, Miloscia, Schual-Berke, Rockefeller, Upthegrove, Hudgins, Kenney, Cody and Moeller.

Hearing Date: 2/13/03

Staff: Marsha Reilly (786-7135).

Background:

Any registered voter of the state or any out-of-state voter, overseas voter, or service voter may vote by absentee ballot in any general election, special election, or primary. A registered voter may request an absentee ballot for a single primary or election, or may request to vote absentee on an ongoing basis.

County auditors are required to have sufficient absentee ballots ready to mail to absentee voters at least 20 days before any primary, general election, or special election. If absentee voters return their voted ballots by mail, the ballot must be postmarked not later than the date of the primary or election. Otherwise, the ballots must be deposited at the county auditor's office not later than 8 p.m. on the date of the primary or election.

Tabulation of absentee ballots does not begin until after 8:00 P.M. on the day of the primary or election. Certification of results occurs 10 days after a primary or special election and 15 days after a general election.

The general election is held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. A primary to nominate candidates is held the third Tuesday in September prior to a general election, or the seventh Tuesday immediately preceding a general election, whichever is earlier.

Summary of Bill:

Voted absentee ballots must be mailed and delivered to the county auditor on or before the date of the primary or election for which it was issued.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.