Brief Description: Modifying absentee or provisional ballot notice requirements.

Sponsors: By House Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability (originally sponsored by Representatives Haigh, Sump and McDermott).

House Committee on State Government Operations & Accountability
Senate Committee on Government Operations & Elections

Background:

If a voter neglects to sign the absentee or provisional ballot envelope, the county auditor must notify the voter by telephone of the procedure for completing the unsigned affidavit. If the auditor is not able to personally talk with the voter by telephone, the voter must be contacted by first class mail. A voice mail message is not considered to be personally contacting the voter. In order for the ballot to be counted, the voter must appear in person and sign the envelope or sign and return a copy of the envelope provided by the auditor. If the handwriting on the absentee or provisional ballot envelope does not match the signature on file, the auditor must follow the same procedures to contact the voter. In order for the ballot to be counted the voter must appear in person and sign a new registration form no later than the day before the certification of the election, or sign and return a copy of the affidavit provided by the auditor. If the signature on the copy of the affidavit does not match the signature on file, the voter must appear in person and sign a new registration form no later than the day before certification of the election.

Summary:

The county auditor must notify a voter by first class mail in the event that the voter fails to sign the outside envelope of the absentee or provisional ballot or if the voter's signature does not match the signature on file in the voter registration file. If the voter has not responded to a mail notification, or if a ballot needing correction is received within three business days of the final meeting of the canvassing board, the voter must be contacted by phone and advised of the procedure to correct the ballot.

To correct a mismatched signature, a voter may sign and return a copy of the affidavit provided by the auditor, along with a copy of a government or tribal issued identification. If the signature on the affidavit does not match the signature on file or the signature on the identification, the voter must appear in person and sign a new registration form.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   97   0
Senate   35   14   (Senate amended)
House Refuses to Concur
Senate         (Senate receded)
Senate   40   9   (Senate amended)
House   55   43   (House concurred)

Effective: June 7, 2006