AB 178

Subject to an exception for certain voters at residential care facilities and

qualified retirement homes, current law prohibits a municipal clerk from issuing an

absentee ballot to a voter, including in person at the municipal clerk's office, unless

the voter submits a written application for the absentee ballot. Current law does not

prescribe a specific form of written application for requesting absentee ballots.

This bill requires the Elections Commission to prescribe the form and

instructions of the absentee ballot application. The bill requires the absentee ballot

application to be separate and distinct from the certificate envelope in which voters

are required to seal and submit absentee ballots, the outer portion of which includes

certifications of both the voter and a witness. Additionally, the bill requires that the

application require the voter to certify facts establishing that he or she is eligible to

vote in the election and must include at least all of the following information:

1. The voter's municipality and county of residence.

2. The voter's name, date of birth, and contact information, including as

applicable the voter's telephone number, fax number, and e-mail address.

3. The street address of the voter's legal voting residence.

4. The election at which the voter intends to vote absentee.

5. Whether the voter is a military or overseas voter.

6. The voter's confidential identification serial number if the the voter has

obtained a confidential listing for purposes of voting.

7. The lawful method by which the voter prefers to receive the absentee ballot.

8. Whether the voter is a hospitalized voter.