FINAL BILL REPORT

                  HB 1648

                         C 383 L 93

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Extending the voter registration period.

By Representatives Wineberry, Anderson, Veloria, Pruitt, King, Springer, Leonard and J. Kohl.

House Committee on State Government

Senate Committee on Government Operations

Background:  State law requires that the registration files of precincts be closed against original voter registrations or transfers for 30 days immediately preceding each primary or election.  At least five days before the precinct files are closed, the county auditor must publish a notice of the closing of the files.

Summary:  A qualified but unregistered elector may register to vote in a primary or election after the close of the precinct registration files for that primary or election under a special registration and absentee ballot voting  procedure.  Such a person must register in person in the office of the county auditor or at a location designated by the auditor and must register not later that the 15th day before the primary or election.  The person may vote only by absentee ballot.  Upon registering, the person must immediately apply for an absentee ballot.  The person's registration form and absentee ballot application are to be promptly transmitted to the county auditor.

The county must publish a notice regarding this special registration and absentee ballot voting procedure when the auditor announces the closing of the precinct files.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  97 0

Senate 34 11 (Senate amended)

House            (House refused to concur)

Senate 32 16 (Senate receded)

Effective:  July 25, 1993