Elections: vote by mail ballots.

Existing law sets forth the procedures by which a voter may apply for and receive a vote by mail ballot. Existing law requires an elections official to deliver to each qualified applicant the vote by mail ballot for the precinct in which the applicant resides and all supplies necessary for the use and return of the ballot. This bill would require the elections official to also deliver to each qualified applicant a return envelope with postage prepaid in which a vote by mail voter may return his or her ballot if the ballot is to be mailed within the territorial limits of the United States or the District of Columbia. By imposing additional duties on local elections officials, this bill 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.