Brief Description: Eliminating Saturday counting of ballots.

Sponsors: Representatives Haigh, Nixon, Sump and Hunt.

Hearing Date: 1/18/06

Staff: Stephanie Toby (786-7106).

Background:

County auditors are required to process absentee ballots and canvass the votes on a daily basis in counties with a population of 75,000 or more, and at least every third day in counties with a population of less than 75,000, excluding Sundays and holidays, as long as the Auditor has more than 25 ballots that have yet to be canvassed.

Summary of Bill:

The distinction between canvassing votes in counties of differing populations is removed, so that the processing of absentee ballots and canvassing of votes follows the same schedule within all counties. In all counties, processing and canvassing takes place at least every third day after a primary or election and before certification of election results if the Auditor is in possession of more than 25 ballots that have yet to be canvassed.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passedexcept for section 2 which reinstates prior law after a scheduled expiration and takes effect July 1, 2013.