SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    HB 1509

             AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS,

                                 APRIL 2, 1991

Brief Description:  Expanding eligibility for ongoing absentee voter status.

SPONSORS:Representatives Anderson, McLean, Miller, Bowman, Haugen, Pruitt and Paris; by request of Secretary of State.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Roach, Vice Chairman; Matson, and Sutherland. 

Staff:  Martin Lovinger (786‑7443)

Hearing Dates:March 26, 1991; April 2, 1991

BACKGROUND:

Under current law a disabled voter or a voter over the age of 65 may choose to be an ongoing absentee ballot voter.  A voter's status as an ongoing absentee ballot voter is valid from the time of application until January 1 of the next odd-numbered year when the auditor must send the voter an application to renew the ongoing status.  This status is also terminated by: the written request of the voter; the death or disqualification of the voter; the cancellation of the voter's registration record; or the return of an ongoing absentee ballot as being undeliverable.

SUMMARY:

Any registered voter may choose to vote by absentee ballot on an ongoing basis.  A person's status as an ongoing absentee ballot voter no longer automatically terminates on January 1 of each odd-numbered year.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

Status as an ongoing absentee ballot voter is available only to a voter who is:  (1) disabled; (2) over 60 years of age; (3) the spouse of a person who is currently an ongoing absentee voter; or (4) absent from his or her place of residence for extended periods of time due to his or her employment. 

TESTIMONY FOR:

This bill extends ongoing absentee voter status to more people.  It is beneficial to voters whose employment requires that they be absent from their residence.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative Cal Anderson, prime sponsor; Bill Donahue, Spokane County Auditor