Agenda - 09-17-2013 - 4b - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

M Effective January 1, 2016 — • G.S. 163 - 166.13 amended by adding new section. Photo identification requirement for voting in person: Every qualified voter shall present photo identification bearing any reasonable resemblance except curbside voters, voters who have religious objection to being photographed and victims of natural disaster occurring within 60 days of the election. Instead of photo identification, curbside voters may present a utility bill, bank statement, paycheck or other government documents that shows the name and address. Voters who on account of religious belief or natural disaster victims must sign a declaration to that affect. Effective January 1, 2018 — • Part 30 — Section 30.8 — DRE Voting Systems: Any direct record electronic voting systems currently certified by the SBOE which do not use paper ballots shall be decertified and shall not be used in any election held on or after January 1, 2018. Orange County has optical scan M100 voting machines, so this will have no impact. Implementation of Voter Photo Identification: • Part 3 of HB 589 states a registered voter may obtain a special identification card without paying a fee if the registered voter signs a declaration stating they do not have other photo identification acceptable. The fee to obtain a special identification card does not apply if the applicant is legally blind, at least 70 years old or is homeless. Voters cannot be charged any fees to obtain a certified copy of birth certificate or marriage license necessary to obtain acceptable photo identification. Registered voters will be provided with this information. • Part 6 of HB 589 states that at any election between May 1, 2014 and January 1, 2016, any registered voter may present photo identification but is not required to do so. Voters shall be notified that photo identification will be needed to vote beginning in 2016 and will be asked if that voter has one of the approved forms of identification. If the voter indicates he or she does not have the appropriate photo identification for voting, that voter will be asked to sign an acknowledgement of the requirement and be given a list of approved forms of identification and information on how to obtain such. The list of names of those voters who signed an acknowledgment will be public record. • Boards of Elections are not responsible for issuing IDs at this time. The Orange County Board of Elections is committed to work diligently to ensure the public is aware of the requirements and will assist voters as much as possible to obtain the necessary identification. FINANCIAL IMPACT: The 2013 -2014 Budget Year financial impact remains unknown at this time. Due to the number of reduced early voting days and the requirement to offer the same amount of hours offered for the 2010 Primary Election, Elections staff will have to be open extended hours, requiring over -time pay for one -stop staff in addition to the probability of having to open more than the four budgeted early voting sites for the 2014 Primary Election. Due to the mandated changes, various forms, voter cards, voter information material and absentee applications will have to be re- printed prior to the 2014 Primary Elections at an estimated cost of $15,000. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board receive the update on the ratified Session Law 2013 -131 — House Bill 589 Election law changes.