Minutes 09-17-2013 - Laserfiche WebLink

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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. Commissioner Rich referred to the policy on voting in the wrong precinct. She noted that the vote will be allowed but not counted. She asked why these people should vote. Tracy Reams said the law says voters cannot be turned away, but the vote will not be able to be counted. She said this will be a change from the current law which allowed provisional voting. Commissioner Gordon asked if the voters will be told about this at the polling site. Tracy Reams said the voter would be advised of their correct precinct and encouraged to go to that location to vote. She said the effective date of this change is January 1, 2014. Commissioner Pelissier asked about the changes made to challenges. Tracy Reams said anyone from the state with a legitimate basis can make a challenge. Commissioner Pelissier asked for an explanation of what happens if a challenge is made on Election Day. Tracy Reams said challenges on Election Day will be heard and decided immediately. Chair Jacobs asked how often voters are notified of changes and the correct location of their precinct. Tracy Reams said Public Service Announcements will be made throughout this process, through print, radio and online information. She said any voter that makes a change or has any contact with the voting office will also be sent a card with voting information and location. Chair Jacobs asked if there is tracking of who cast provisional ballots in the wrong precinct. Tracy Reams said yes.