Elections: provisional ballots.

Existing law requires that a provisional ballot be issued to a voter claiming to be properly registered but whose qualification or entitlement to vote cannot be immediately established upon examination of the index of registration or records on file with the county elections official. This bill would require a county elections official to issue a provisional ballot, including any materials necessary to process the ballot, to an emergency worker, as defined. The bill would require the county elections official to transmit the ballot to the county where the voter is registered and would specify requirements for the ballot to be counted and the ballot materials to be preserved. Because the bill would increase duties of local elections officials, it would impose a state-mandated local program. The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement. This bill would provide that, if the Commission on State Mandates determines that the bill contains costs mandated by the state, reimbursement for those costs shall be made pursuant to these statutory provisions.