Elections: ballots.

Existing law requires an elections official to deliver to a precinct additional ballots if the precinct board is unable to furnish a ballot to a qualified voter because there is an insufficient number of ballots. Existing law requires the precinct board to provide each voter with the option of casting a vote immediately using an alternative procedure, as specified. Existing law requires, in the case of an election for a state or federal office, for each polling place using a direct recording electronic voting system, the elections official to also provide paper ballots equivalent to specified percentages of voters depending on the type of election and to establish procedures for the use of the paper ballots in the event the direct recording electronic voting system becomes nonfunctional. This bill would require an elections official to establish an alternative procedure for the use of paper ballots in the event that a ballot marking system, a ballot on demand system, or, except as specified, a voting system becomes nonfunctional. The bill would require the elections official to submit the alternative procedure to the Secretary of State for approval. By increasing the duties of local elections officials, the 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 the statutory provisions noted above.