March 25, 2009
Pursuant to Elections Code Section 9005, we have
reviewed the proposed statutory initiative related to voter
identification at polling places (A.G. File No. 09‑0005).
Background
Voting Requirements. Federal law
requires first-time voters who register by mail to provide
identification at some point in the voting process (either when
registering or voting). If identification is not provided, first-time
voters can still cast a "provisional" ballot. Provisional ballots are
conditional ballots, with voting eligibility confirmed after the
election. Other voters are not required to show identification when they
vote in person at polling places.
Active Duty Military Voting Requirements.
Under current law, ballots cast by active duty military personnel are
accepted if postmarked on or before the 15th day prior to the
election.
Voting Rights of Probationers. In
2007, there were approximately 270,000 Californians on active probation.
Under current law, citizens on probation are permitted to cast ballots
in elections.
Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Fees for
Identification. The DMV assesses fees for new and replacement
identification cards. These fees are $20 for most individuals. For
individuals that meet certain low-income eligibility requirements, the
fee is $6. There is no charge for seniors.
Proposal
This
statutory initiative makes various changes to state voting practices.
Specifically, it:
-
Requires Identification for Voting at
Polling Place. This measure requires all voters who vote in
person at polling places to show picture identification. Poll
workers would be required to confirm a voter's identity and record
the form of identification used. Voters not providing the required
identification could still cast provisional ballots.
-
Allows More Time to Submit Active Duty
Armed Forces Ballots. Active Duty Armed Forces ballots would
be accepted by an elections official if they are signed and dated
(or postmarked) by the election day and are received by an election
official no later than 21 days after election day.
-
Makes Probationers Ineligible to Vote.
Under the measure, citizens on probation would not be allowed to
cast a ballot in elections.
-
Waives Fees for Identifications Used to
Vote. Any fees associated with obtaining a valid
identification card for the purpose of voting at a polling place
would be waived.
Fiscal Effect
Counties determine how many precincts and poll
workers to use at each election based on the number of expected voters
and the time it takes for each voter to cast a ballot. This measure
would have various fiscal impacts on government (primarily counties).
For example, it would increase costs by:
-
Requiring additional information to be verified
at polling places.
-
Potentially increasing the number of
provisional ballots cast, which take longer to process than standard
ballots.
-
Extending the time allowed for receipt of
ballots cast by active duty military personnel, which could increase
the number of vote by mail ballots cast and reviewed by county
election officials.
On the other hand, by eliminating the right
to vote for individuals on probation, the measure would reduce the
number of ballots cast in an election. There would likely be a net cost
to government (primarily counties) from all these provisions. These
costs, however, probably would not be significant.
The DMV collects in the range of $26 million in
fee revenues each year from new and replacement identification
issuances. To the extent that individuals requested identification cards
for the stated purpose of voting in a polling place, there could be
reductions in the amount of fees collected by the state for new and
replacement identification cards. These reductions in fee revenues would
likely not be significant.
Fiscal Summary. This measure would have the following
fiscal impact:
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