2008 Legislation
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SENATE BILL NO. 1507<br /> – Elections, primary, ballots revised

SENATE BILL NO. 1507

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Bill Status



S1507aa....................................................by STATE AFFAIRS
ELECTIONS - Amends and adds to existing law relating to elections to revise
procedures for conducting elections in a mail ballot precinct; to revise
primary election ballots; to provide for a separate primary election ballot
for each political party upon which only its ticket shall be printed; to
provide for application; to provide for a primary election voting
procedure; to provide for political party chairman duties; to provide for a
party conducted nomination process; to provide a procedure for requesting
the ballot of a political party that has adopted a specified rule; to
provide that an elector who designates a specific political party ballot
shall receive, in addition, a nonpartisan ballot; to revise certification
of candidates; and to provide for certificates of nomination to certain
offices after the party conducted nomination process.

03/17    Senate intro - 1st rdg - to printing
03/18    Rpt prt - to St Aff
03/31    Rpt out - w/o rec - to 2nd rdg
04/01    2nd rdg - to 3rd rdg
04/02    To 14th Ord
    Rpt out amen - to engros
    Rpt engros - 1st rdg - to 2nd rdg as amen
    Rls susp - PASSED - 20-15-0
      AYES -- Andreason, Bair, Bastian, Cameron, Coiner, Darrington, Davis,
      Fulcher, Geddes, Hammond, Heinrich, Hill, Jorgenson, Keough, Little,
      Lodge, McGee, McKenzie, Richardson, Stegner
      NAYS -- Bilyeu, Broadsword, Burkett, Corder, Gannon(Gannon), Goedde,
      Kelly, Langhorst, Malepeai(Sagness), McKague, Pearce, Schroeder,
      Siddoway, Stennett, Werk
      Absent and excused -- None
    Floor Sponsor - Jorgenson
    Title apvd - to House
04/02    House intro - 1st rdg - Held at Desk
    1st rdg - to 2nd rdg

Bill Text




                                                                       
  ]]]]              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ]]]]
 Fifty-ninth Legislature                   Second Regular Session - 2008

                                                                       

                                       IN THE SENATE

                                    SENATE BILL NO. 1507

                                 BY STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

  1                                        AN ACT
  2    RELATING TO ELECTIONS; AMENDING SECTION 34-308, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE A  CODE
  3        REFERENCE AND TO REVISE PROCEDURES FOR CONDUCTING ELECTIONS IN A MAIL BAL-
  4        LOT  PRECINCT;  AMENDING SECTION 34-904, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE THE PRIMARY
  5        ELECTION BALLOT; AMENDING CHAPTER 9, TITLE 34, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION
  6        OF A NEW SECTION 34-904A, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR APPLICATION, TO  PRO-
  7        VIDE  FOR  PRIMARY  ELECTION VOTING PROCEDURE AND TO PROVIDE FOR POLITICAL
  8        PARTY CHAIRMAN DUTY; AMENDING SECTION 34-1002, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE PRO-
  9        CEDURES FOR REQUESTING THE BALLOT OF A POLITICAL PARTY THAT HAS ADOPTED  A
 10        SPECIFIED  RULE; AND AMENDING SECTION 34-1003, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE THAT
 11        AN ELECTOR WHO DESIGNATES A SPECIFIC POLITICAL PARTY BALLOT SHALL RECEIVE,
 12        IN ADDITION, A NONPARTISAN BALLOT.

 13    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:

 14        SECTION 1.  That Section 34-308, Idaho Code, be, and the  same  is  hereby
 15    amended to read as follows:

 16        34-308.  MAIL BALLOT PRECINCT. A precinct within the county which contains
 17    no  more  than  one  hundred twenty-five (125) registered electors at the last
 18    general election, may be designated by the board  of  county  commissioners  a
 19    mail  ballot  precinct  no later than April 1 in an even-numbered year. Such a
 20    designation shall apply thereafter to all elections conducted within the  pre-
 21    cinct  until revoked by the board of county commissioners. Having designated a
 22    mail ballot precinct, there shall be no voting place  established  within  the
 23    precinct.  Elections  in a mail ballot precinct shall be conducted in a manner
 24    consistent with absentee voting as provided in chapter  10,  title  34,  Idaho
 25    Code, with the following special provisions.
 26        (1)  The clerk shall issue a ballot, by mail, to every registered voter in
 27    a mail ballot precinct, and shall affix to the return envelope, postage suffi-
 28    cient to return the ballot.
 29        (2)  The ballot shall be mailed no sooner than twenty-four (24) days prior
 30    to  the  election  day and no later than the fourteenth day prior to the elec-
 31    tion.
 32        (3)  The clerk shall make necessary provisions to  segregate  mail  ballot
 33    precinct  ballots  by precinct, and for all purposes of the election, the pre-
 34    cinct integrity shall be maintained.
 35        (4)  The clerk shall make available in the office of the clerk,  registra-
 36    tion  on  election  day  for  any  individual  who is eligible to vote and who
 37    resides in a mail ballot precinct and has not previously registered. The clerk
 38    shall provide an official polling place in the office of the clerk and a qual-
 39    ified elector who registers on election day and resides in a mail ballot  pre-
 40    cinct shall be allowed to vote at the office of the clerk.
 41        (5)  In  order  to  issue  the proper political party's ballot pursuant to
 42    section 34-904A, Idaho Code, the county clerk shall mail a ballot form for the
 43    primary election ballot to the electors in a  mail  ballot  precinct  for  the

                                       2

  1    electors to use in selecting the party ballot they choose to receive.

  2        SECTION  2.  That  Section  34-904, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
  3    amended to read as follows:

  4        34-904.  PRIMARY ELECTION BALLOTS. There shall be a single  separate  pri-
  5    mary  election ballot on which the complete ticket of for each political party
  6    upon which only its ticket shall be printed; however, a county may use a sepa-
  7    rate ballot for the office of precinct  committeeman.  Each  political  ticket
  8    shall  be  separated from the others by a perforated line that will enable the
  9    elector to detach the ticket of the political party voted from  those  remain-
 10    ing.  All  candidates  who  have filed their declarations of candidacy and are
 11    subsequently certified shall be listed under the proper office titles on their
 12    political party ticket. The secretary of state shall design the primary  elec-
 13    tion ballot to allow for write-in candidates under each office title.
 14        The office titles shall be listed in order beginning with the highest fed-
 15    eral  office  and ending with precinct offices. The secretary of state has the
 16    discretion and authority to arrange the classifications of offices as provided
 17    by law.
 18        It is not necessary to print a primary ballot for a political party  which
 19    does  not have candidates for more than half of the federal or statewide offi-
 20    ces on the ballot if no more than one (1) candidate files  for  nomination  by
 21    that  party for any of the offices on the ballot. The secretary of state shall
 22    certify that no primary election is necessary for that party if  such  is  the
 23    case  and  shall  certify to the county clerk the names of candidates for that
 24    party for the general election ballot only.

 25        SECTION 3.  That Chapter 9, Title 34, Idaho Code,  be,  and  the  same  is
 26    hereby  amended by the addition thereto of a NEW SECTION, to be known and des-
 27    ignated as Section 34-904A, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:

 28        34-904A.  VOTING IN PRIMARY ELECTIONS. (1) This section shall apply  if  a
 29    political party has adopted a rule which restricts voting in that party's pri-
 30    mary election to electors who publicly declare party affiliation.
 31        (2)  The  poll  book  shall  contain  a  check off box for poll workers to
 32    record that an elector wishes to receive the ballot  of  the  political  party
 33    which  has adopted the rule described in subsection (1) of this section. Elec-
 34    tors voting in other political party primaries are not required to indicate in
 35    which party primary they are participating. All electors are entitled to  vote
 36    the nonpartisan ballot.
 37        (3)  The  chairman  of  the political party adopting the rule described in
 38    subsection (1) of this section shall certify the adoption of such rule to  the
 39    secretary of state not later than January 1 of a general election year.

 40        SECTION  4.  That  Section 34-1002, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 41    amended to read as follows:

 42        34-1002.  APPLICATION FOR ABSENTEE BALLOT. Any registered elector may make
 43    written application to the county clerk, or other proper  officer  charged  by
 44    law  with the duty of issuing official ballots for such election, for an offi-
 45    cial ballot or ballots of the kind or kinds to be voted at the  election.  The
 46    application  shall  contain the name of the elector, his home address, county,
 47    and address to which such ballot shall be forwarded. An elector requesting the
 48    ballot of a political party which has adopted a rule as described  in  section
 49    34-904A(1),  Idaho Code,  shall indicate such choice in the elector's applica-

                                       3

  1    tion and shall be issued that party's ballot only, along with the  nonpartisan
  2    ballot.
  3        The  application for an absent elector's ballot shall be signed personally
  4    by the applicant. The application for  a  mail-in  absentee  ballot  shall  be
  5    received  by the county clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. on the sixth day before
  6    the election. An application for in  person  absentee  voting  at  the  absent
  7    elector's  polling  place  described  in section 34-1006, Idaho Code, shall be
  8    received by the county clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. on the  day  before  the
  9    election.  Application for an absentee ballot may be made by using a facsimile
 10    machine. In the event a registered elector is unable to vote in person at  his
 11    designated polling place on the day of election because of an emergency situa-
 12    tion  which  rendered  him physically unable, he may nevertheless apply for an
 13    absent elector's ballot on the day of election by notifying the county  clerk.
 14    No  person,  may,  however,  be  entitled to vote under an emergency situation
 15    unless the situation claimed rendered him physically unable  to  vote  at  his
 16    designated polling place within forty-eight (48) hours prior to the closing of
 17    the polls.
 18        A  person  may make application for an absent elector's ballot by use of a
 19    properly executed federal postcard application as provided for in the laws  of
 20    the United States known as Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act
 21    (UOCAVA,  42  U.S.C.  1973  ff, et seq.). A properly executed federal postcard
 22    application (F.P.C.A.), shall  be  considered  as  a  request  for  an  absent
 23    elector's  ballot  through  the next two (2) regularly scheduled general elec-
 24    tions for federal office following receipt of  the  application.  The  issuing
 25    officer shall keep as a part of the records of his office a list of all appli-
 26    cations  so  received and of the manner and time of delivery or mailing to and
 27    receipt of returned ballot.
 28        The county clerk shall, not later than seventy-five (75)  days  after  the
 29    date  of each general election, submit a report to the secretary of state con-
 30    taining information concerning absentee voters as required by federal law.

 31        SECTION 5.  That Section 34-1003, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 32    amended to read as follows:

 33        34-1003.  ISSUANCE  OF ABSENTEE BALLOT. (1) Upon receipt of an application
 34    for an absent elector's ballot  within  the  proper  time,  the  county  clerk
 35    receiving  it  shall examine the records of his office to ascertain whether or
 36    not such applicant is registered and lawfully entitled to  vote  as  requested
 37    and,  if  found to be so, he shall arrange for the applicant to vote by absent
 38    elector's ballot.
 39        (2)  An elector who designates a specific  political  party  ballot  shall
 40    receive a primary ballot for that political party and a nonpartisan ballot.
 41        (3)  The  absentee  ballot  may  be delivered to the absent elector in the
 42    office of the county clerk, by postage prepaid mail or  by  other  appropriate
 43    means,  including  use  of a facsimile machine. A political party may supply a
 44    witness to accompany the clerk in the personal delivery of an absentee ballot.
 45        (4)  If the political party desires to supply a witness it  shall  be  the
 46    duty of the political party to supply the names of such witnesses to the clerk
 47    no  later  than  forty-five  (45)  days prior to the election. The clerk shall
 48    notify such witnesses of the date and approximate hour  the  clerk  or  deputy
 49    clerk intends to deliver the ballot.
 50        (5)  A  candidate  for public office or a spouse of a candidate for public
 51    office shall not be a witness in the personal delivery of absentee ballots.
 52        (6)  An elector physically unable to  mark  his  own  ballot  may  receive
 53    assistance  in  marking  such  ballot  from  the officer delivering same or an

                                       4

  1    available person of his own choosing. In the event  the  election  officer  is
  2    requested  to  render  assistance  in  marking an absent elector's ballot, the
  3    officer shall ascertain  the  desires  of  the  elector  and  shall  vote  the
  4    applicant's  ballot  accordingly.  When  such  ballot is marked by an election
  5    officer, the witnesses on hand shall be allowed to observe  such  marking.  No
  6    county clerk, deputy, or other person assisting a disabled voter shall attempt
  7    to influence the vote of such elector in any manner.

Amendment




                                                                       
  ]]]]              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ]]]]
 Fifty-ninth Legislature                   Second Regular Session - 2008

                                                                       

                                                     Moved by    Little

                                                     Seconded by Davis


                                       IN THE SENATE
                             SENATE AMENDMENT TO S.B. NO. 1507

  1                                AMENDMENTS TO THE BILL
  2        On page 2 of the printed bill, following line 39 insert:

  3        "SECTION 4.  That Chapter 9, Title 34, Idaho Code, be,  and  the  same  is
  4    hereby  amended by the addition thereto of a NEW SECTION, to be known and des-
  5    ignated as Section 34-904B, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:

  6        34-904B.  PARTY CONDUCTED NOMINATION PROCESS. (1) In lieu of participating
  7    in a primary election conducted and paid for  by  public  funds,  a  political
  8    party  may  choose  to nominate its candidates for county, district, state and
  9    federal offices and elect precinct committeemen through a party conducted nom-
 10    ination process.
 11        (2)  A party conducted nomination process may  be  conducted  pursuant  to
 12    rules  adopted  by  the  political party, provided that the political party is
 13    responsible for all expenses and the administration associated with conducting
 14    the party conducted nomination process.";

 15    and in line 40, delete "SECTION 4" and insert: "SECTION 5"; on page 3, in line
 16    31, delete "SECTION 5" and insert: "SECTION 6"; and on page 4, following  line
 17    7, insert:

 18        "SECTION  7.  That Section 34-1208, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 19    amended to read as follows:

 20        34-1208.  CERTIFICATES OF NOMINATION OR ELECTION.  (1)  Immediately  after
 21    the primary election canvass the county clerk shall issue certificates of nom-
 22    ination  to the political party candidates of each party who receive the high-
 23    est number of votes for their particular county office, and the candidates  so
 24    certified  shall have their names placed on the general election ballot. On or
 25    before the eighth day after the primary election  canvass,  the  county  clerk
 26    shall  issue  certificates  of  election  to the precinct committeemen of each
 27    political party who receive the highest number of  votes  in  their  precinct.
 28    Provided  that  to be elected, a precinct committeeman shall receive a minimum
 29    of five (5) votes. In the event no candidate receives the  minimum  number  of
 30    votes required to be elected, a vacancy in the office shall exist and shall be
 31    filled  as  otherwise  provided by law. The county clerk shall also certify by
 32    registered mail the results of both the primary and the  presidential  primary
 33    elections  to  the  secretary of state. The form for such certificate shall be
 34    prescribed by the secretary of state and be uniform throughout the state.
 35        (2)  In the event that a political party elects to nominate its candidates
 36    for elected office at a party conducted nomination process, the county central
 37    committee of the political party that  has  nominated  candidates  for  county
 38    elected  offices shall, immediately after the party conducted nomination proc-
 39    ess, certify by registered mail to the county clerk and to  the  secretary  of

                                       2

  1    state  the names of the candidates for office who have been nominated and pre-
  2    cinct committeemen who have been elected and the concluding date of the  party
  3    conducted  nomination process. On or before the eighth day after receiving the
  4    certificate from the central committee, the county clerk shall issue  certifi-
  5    cates  of  nomination to the political party's qualified candidates for county
  6    office and certificates of election to the precinct committeemen.  The  quali-
  7    fied  candidates    issued  certificates  of nomination shall have their names
  8    placed on the general election ballot.

  9        SECTION 8.  That Section 34-1214, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 10    amended to read as follows:

 11        34-1214.  CERTIFICATES  OF  NOMINATION OR ELECTION TO FEDERAL, STATE, DIS-
 12    TRICT OR NONPARTISAN OFFICES AFTER PRIMARY OR PARTY CONDUCTED NOMINATION PROC-
 13    ESS. (1) Immediately after the primary  election  canvass,  the  secretary  of
 14    state shall issue certificates of nomination to the political party candidates
 15    of  each  party  who  receive the highest number of votes for their particular
 16    federal, state or district office. In the event a political  party  elects  to
 17    nominate  candidates  at  a  party conducted nomination process, the political
 18    party's state central committee shall immediately certify by  registered  mail
 19    to  the  secretary of state the names of the candidates nominated for federal,
 20    state or district office and the concluding date of the party conducted  nomi-
 21    nation  process.  After  receiving  the certification of the political party's
 22    candidates for federal, state or district elected  office,  the  secretary  of
 23    state  shall issue certificates of nomination to the qualified candidates. The
 24    qualified candidates so certified shall have their names placed on the general
 25    election ballot.
 26        (2)  Immediately after the primary  election  canvass,  the  secretary  of
 27    state  shall  issue certificates of nomination to the nonpartisan candidate or
 28    candidates who receive the highest number of votes for the number of vacancies
 29    which are to be filled for a particular office and also to the same number  of
 30    candidates  who  receive the second highest number of votes for the particular
 31    office. The candidates so certified shall have their names placed on the  gen-
 32    eral  election ballot. If it appears from the canvass that a particular candi-
 33    date has received a majority of the total vote cast for the particular office,
 34    he shall be issued a certificate of election instead of a certificate of nomi-
 35    nation and no candidates shall run for the particular office  in  the  general
 36    election.".

 37                                 CORRECTIONS TO TITLE
 38        On page 1, in line 8, following "DUTY;" insert: "AMENDING CHAPTER 9, TITLE
 39    34,  IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 34-904B, IDAHO CODE, TO PRO-
 40    VIDE FOR A PARTY CONDUCTED NOMINATION PROCESS;"; in line 10, delete "AND"; and
 41    in line 12, following "BALLOT" insert:  ";  AMENDING  SECTION  34-1208,  IDAHO
 42    CODE, TO REVISE THE CERTIFICATION OF CANDIDATES; AND AMENDING SECTION 34-1214,
 43    IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR CERTIFICATES OF NOMINATION TO CERTAIN OFFICES AFTER
 44    THE PARTY CONDUCTED NOMINATION PROCESS".

Engrossed Bill (Original Bill with Amendment(s) Incorporated)




                                                                       
  ]]]]              LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF IDAHO             ]]]]
 Fifty-ninth Legislature                   Second Regular Session - 2008

                                                                       

                                       IN THE SENATE

                              SENATE BILL NO. 1507, As Amended

                                 BY STATE AFFAIRS COMMITTEE

  1                                        AN ACT
  2    RELATING TO ELECTIONS; AMENDING SECTION 34-308, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE A  CODE
  3        REFERENCE AND TO REVISE PROCEDURES FOR CONDUCTING ELECTIONS IN A MAIL BAL-
  4        LOT  PRECINCT;  AMENDING SECTION 34-904, IDAHO CODE, TO REVISE THE PRIMARY
  5        ELECTION BALLOT; AMENDING CHAPTER 9, TITLE 34, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION
  6        OF A NEW SECTION 34-904A, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR APPLICATION, TO  PRO-
  7        VIDE  FOR  PRIMARY  ELECTION VOTING PROCEDURE AND TO PROVIDE FOR POLITICAL
  8        PARTY CHAIRMAN DUTY; AMENDING CHAPTER 9, TITLE  34,  IDAHO  CODE,  BY  THE
  9        ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 34-904B, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR A PARTY CON-
 10        DUCTED  NOMINATION  PROCESS; AMENDING SECTION 34-1002, IDAHO CODE, TO PRO-
 11        VIDE PROCEDURES FOR REQUESTING THE BALLOT OF A POLITICAL  PARTY  THAT  HAS
 12        ADOPTED A SPECIFIED RULE; AMENDING SECTION 34-1003, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE
 13        THAT  AN  ELECTOR  WHO  DESIGNATES A SPECIFIC POLITICAL PARTY BALLOT SHALL
 14        RECEIVE, IN ADDITION, A  NONPARTISAN  BALLOT;  AMENDING  SECTION  34-1208,
 15        IDAHO  CODE,  TO REVISE THE CERTIFICATION OF CANDIDATES; AND AMENDING SEC-
 16        TION 34-1214, IDAHO CODE, TO PROVIDE FOR  CERTIFICATES  OF  NOMINATION  TO
 17        CERTAIN OFFICES AFTER THE PARTY CONDUCTED NOMINATION PROCESS.

 18    Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:

 19        SECTION  1.  That  Section  34-308, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 20    amended to read as follows:

 21        34-308.  MAIL BALLOT PRECINCT. A precinct within the county which contains
 22    no more than one hundred twenty-five (125) registered  electors  at  the  last
 23    general  election,  may  be  designated by the board of county commissioners a
 24    mail ballot precinct no later than April 1 in an even-numbered  year.  Such  a
 25    designation  shall apply thereafter to all elections conducted within the pre-
 26    cinct until revoked by the board of county commissioners. Having designated  a
 27    mail  ballot  precinct,  there shall be no voting place established within the
 28    precinct. Elections in a mail ballot precinct shall be conducted in  a  manner
 29    consistent  with  absentee  voting  as provided in chapter 10, title 34, Idaho
 30    Code, with the following special provisions.
 31        (1)  The clerk shall issue a ballot, by mail, to every registered voter in
 32    a mail ballot precinct, and shall affix to the return envelope, postage suffi-
 33    cient to return the ballot.
 34        (2)  The ballot shall be mailed no sooner than twenty-four (24) days prior
 35    to the election day and no later than the fourteenth day prior  to  the  elec-
 36    tion.
 37        (3)  The  clerk  shall  make necessary provisions to segregate mail ballot
 38    precinct ballots by precinct, and for all purposes of the election,  the  pre-
 39    cinct integrity shall be maintained.
 40        (4)  The  clerk shall make available in the office of the clerk, registra-
 41    tion on election day for any individual  who  is  eligible  to  vote  and  who
 42    resides in a mail ballot precinct and has not previously registered. The clerk
 43    shall provide an official polling place in the office of the clerk and a qual-

                                       2

  1    ified  elector who registers on election day and resides in a mail ballot pre-
  2    cinct shall be allowed to vote at the office of the clerk.
  3        (5)  In order to issue the proper political  party's  ballot  pursuant  to
  4    section 34-904A, Idaho Code, the county clerk shall mail a ballot form for the
  5    primary  election  ballot  to  the  electors in a mail ballot precinct for the
  6    electors to use in selecting the party ballot they choose to receive.

  7        SECTION 2.  That Section 34-904, Idaho Code, be, and the  same  is  hereby
  8    amended to read as follows:

  9        34-904.  PRIMARY  ELECTION  BALLOTS. There shall be a single separate pri-
 10    mary election ballot on which the complete ticket of for each political  party
 11    upon which only its ticket shall be printed; however, a county may use a sepa-
 12    rate  ballot  for  the  office of precinct committeeman. Each political ticket
 13    shall be separated from the others by a perforated line that will  enable  the
 14    elector  to  detach the ticket of the political party voted from those remain-
 15    ing. All candidates who have filed their declarations  of  candidacy  and  are
 16    subsequently certified shall be listed under the proper office titles on their
 17    political  party ticket. The secretary of state shall design the primary elec-
 18    tion ballot to allow for write-in candidates under each office title.
 19        The office titles shall be listed in order beginning with the highest fed-
 20    eral office and ending with precinct offices. The secretary of state  has  the
 21    discretion and authority to arrange the classifications of offices as provided
 22    by law.
 23        It  is not necessary to print a primary ballot for a political party which
 24    does not have candidates for more than half of the federal or statewide  offi-
 25    ces  on  the  ballot if no more than one (1) candidate files for nomination by
 26    that party for any of the offices on the ballot. The secretary of state  shall
 27    certify  that  no  primary election is necessary for that party if such is the
 28    case and shall certify to the county clerk the names of  candidates  for  that
 29    party for the general election ballot only.

 30        SECTION  3.  That  Chapter  9,  Title  34, Idaho Code, be, and the same is
 31    hereby amended by the addition thereto of a NEW SECTION, to be known and  des-
 32    ignated as Section 34-904A, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:

 33        34-904A.  VOTING  IN  PRIMARY ELECTIONS. (1) This section shall apply if a
 34    political party has adopted a rule which restricts voting in that party's pri-
 35    mary election to electors who publicly declare party affiliation.
 36        (2)  The poll book shall contain a check  off  box  for  poll  workers  to
 37    record  that  an  elector  wishes to receive the ballot of the political party
 38    which has adopted the rule described in subsection (1) of this section.  Elec-
 39    tors voting in other political party primaries are not required to indicate in
 40    which  party primary they are participating. All electors are entitled to vote
 41    the nonpartisan ballot.
 42        (3)  The chairman of the political party adopting the  rule  described  in
 43    subsection  (1) of this section shall certify the adoption of such rule to the
 44    secretary of state not later than January 1 of a general election year.

 45        SECTION 4.  That Chapter 9, Title 34, Idaho Code,  be,  and  the  same  is
 46    hereby  amended by the addition thereto of a NEW SECTION, to be known and des-
 47    ignated as Section 34-904B, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:

 48        34-904B.  PARTY CONDUCTED NOMINATION PROCESS. (1) In lieu of participating
 49    in a primary election conducted and paid for  by  public  funds,  a  political

                                       3

  1    party  may  choose  to nominate its candidates for county, district, state and
  2    federal offices and elect precinct committeemen through a party conducted nom-
  3    ination process.
  4        (2)  A party conducted nomination process may  be  conducted  pursuant  to
  5    rules  adopted  by  the  political party, provided that the political party is
  6    responsible for all expenses and the administration associated with conducting
  7    the party conducted nomination process.

  8        SECTION 5.  That Section 34-1002, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
  9    amended to read as follows:

 10        34-1002.  APPLICATION FOR ABSENTEE BALLOT. Any registered elector may make
 11    written  application  to  the county clerk, or other proper officer charged by
 12    law with the duty of issuing official ballots for such election, for an  offi-
 13    cial  ballot  or ballots of the kind or kinds to be voted at the election. The
 14    application shall contain the name of the elector, his home  address,  county,
 15    and address to which such ballot shall be forwarded. An elector requesting the
 16    ballot  of  a political party which has adopted a rule as described in section
 17    34-904A(1), Idaho Code,  shall indicate such choice in the elector's  applica-
 18    tion  and shall be issued that party's ballot only, along with the nonpartisan
 19    ballot.
 20        The application for an absent elector's ballot shall be signed  personally
 21    by  the  applicant.  The  application  for  a mail-in absentee ballot shall be
 22    received by the county clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. on the sixth day  before
 23    the  election.  An  application  for  in  person absentee voting at the absent
 24    elector's polling place described in section 34-1006,  Idaho  Code,  shall  be
 25    received  by  the  county clerk not later than 5:00 p.m. on the day before the
 26    election. Application for an absentee ballot may be made by using a  facsimile
 27    machine.  In the event a registered elector is unable to vote in person at his
 28    designated polling place on the day of election because of an emergency situa-
 29    tion which rendered him physically unable, he may nevertheless  apply  for  an
 30    absent  elector's ballot on the day of election by notifying the county clerk.
 31    No person, may, however, be entitled to  vote  under  an  emergency  situation
 32    unless  the  situation  claimed  rendered him physically unable to vote at his
 33    designated polling place within forty-eight (48) hours prior to the closing of
 34    the polls.
 35        A person may make application for an absent elector's ballot by use  of  a
 36    properly  executed federal postcard application as provided for in the laws of
 37    the United States known as Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act
 38    (UOCAVA, 42 U.S.C. 1973 ff, et seq.). A  properly  executed  federal  postcard
 39    application  (F.P.C.A.),  shall  be  considered  as  a  request  for an absent
 40    elector's ballot through the next two (2) regularly  scheduled  general  elec-
 41    tions  for  federal  office  following receipt of the application. The issuing
 42    officer shall keep as a part of the records of his office a list of all appli-
 43    cations so received and of the manner and time of delivery or mailing  to  and
 44    receipt of returned ballot.
 45        The  county  clerk  shall, not later than seventy-five (75) days after the
 46    date of each general election, submit a report to the secretary of state  con-
 47    taining information concerning absentee voters as required by federal law.

 48        SECTION  6.  That  Section 34-1003, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
 49    amended to read as follows:

 50        34-1003.  ISSUANCE OF ABSENTEE BALLOT. (1) Upon receipt of an  application
 51    for  an  absent  elector's  ballot  within  the  proper time, the county clerk

                                       4

  1    receiving it shall examine the records of his office to ascertain  whether  or
  2    not  such  applicant  is registered and lawfully entitled to vote as requested
  3    and, if found to be so, he shall arrange for the applicant to vote  by  absent
  4    elector's ballot.
  5        (2)  An  elector  who  designates  a specific political party ballot shall
  6    receive a primary ballot for that political party and a nonpartisan ballot.
  7        (3)  The absentee ballot may be delivered to the  absent  elector  in  the
  8    office  of  the  county clerk, by postage prepaid mail or by other appropriate
  9    means, including use of a facsimile machine. A political party  may  supply  a
 10    witness to accompany the clerk in the personal delivery of an absentee ballot.
 11        (4)  If  the  political  party desires to supply a witness it shall be the
 12    duty of the political party to supply the names of such witnesses to the clerk
 13    no later than forty-five (45) days prior to  the  election.  The  clerk  shall
 14    notify  such  witnesses  of  the date and approximate hour the clerk or deputy
 15    clerk intends to deliver the ballot.
 16        (5)  A candidate for public office or a spouse of a candidate  for  public
 17    office shall not be a witness in the personal delivery of absentee ballots.
 18        (6)  An  elector  physically  unable  to  mark  his own ballot may receive
 19    assistance in marking such ballot from  the  officer  delivering  same  or  an
 20    available  person  of  his  own choosing. In the event the election officer is
 21    requested to render assistance in marking  an  absent  elector's  ballot,  the
 22    officer  shall  ascertain  the  desires  of  the  elector  and  shall vote the
 23    applicant's ballot accordingly. When such ballot  is  marked  by  an  election
 24    officer,  the  witnesses  on hand shall be allowed to observe such marking. No
 25    county clerk, deputy, or other person assisting a disabled voter shall attempt
 26    to influence the vote of such elector in any manner.

 27        SECTION 7.  That Section 34-1208, Idaho Code, be, and the same  is  hereby
 28    amended to read as follows:

 29        34-1208.  CERTIFICATES  OF  NOMINATION  OR ELECTION. (1) Immediately after
 30    the primary election canvass the county clerk shall issue certificates of nom-
 31    ination to the political party candidates of each party who receive the  high-
 32    est  number of votes for their particular county office, and the candidates so
 33    certified shall have their names placed on the general election ballot. On  or
 34    before  the  eighth  day  after the primary election canvass, the county clerk
 35    shall issue certificates of election to  the  precinct  committeemen  of  each
 36    political  party  who  receive  the highest number of votes in their precinct.
 37    Provided that to be elected, a precinct committeeman shall receive  a  minimum
 38    of  five  (5)  votes. In the event no candidate receives the minimum number of
 39    votes required to be elected, a vacancy in the office shall exist and shall be
 40    filled as otherwise provided by law. The county clerk shall  also  certify  by
 41    registered  mail  the results of both the primary and the presidential primary
 42    elections to the secretary of state. The form for such  certificate  shall  be
 43    prescribed by the secretary of state and be uniform throughout the state.
 44        (2)  In the event that a political party elects to nominate its candidates
 45    for elected office at a party conducted nomination process, the county central
 46    committee  of  the  political  party  that has nominated candidates for county
 47    elected offices shall, immediately after the party conducted nomination  proc-
 48    ess,  certify  by  registered mail to the county clerk and to the secretary of
 49    state the names of the candidates for office who have been nominated and  pre-
 50    cinct  committeemen who have been elected and the concluding date of the party
 51    conducted nomination process. On or before the eighth day after receiving  the
 52    certificate  from the central committee, the county clerk shall issue certifi-
 53    cates of nomination to the political party's qualified candidates  for  county

                                       5

  1    office  and  certificates of election to the precinct committeemen. The quali-
  2    fied candidates issued certificates  of  nomination  shall  have  their  names
  3    placed on the general election ballot.

  4        SECTION  8.  That  Section 34-1214, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby
  5    amended to read as follows:

  6        34-1214.  CERTIFICATES OF NOMINATION OR ELECTION TO FEDERAL,  STATE,  DIS-
  7    TRICT OR NONPARTISAN OFFICES AFTER PRIMARY OR PARTY CONDUCTED NOMINATION PROC-
  8    ESS.  (1)  Immediately  after  the  primary election canvass, the secretary of
  9    state shall issue certificates of nomination to the political party candidates
 10    of each party who receive the highest number of  votes  for  their  particular
 11    federal,  state  or  district office. In the event a political party elects to
 12    nominate candidates at a party conducted  nomination  process,  the  political
 13    party's  state  central committee shall immediately certify by registered mail
 14    to the secretary of state the names of the candidates nominated  for  federal,
 15    state  or district office and the concluding date of the party conducted nomi-
 16    nation process. After receiving the certification  of  the  political  party's
 17    candidates  for  federal,  state  or district elected office, the secretary of
 18    state shall issue certificates of nomination to the qualified candidates.  The
 19    qualified candidates so certified shall have their names placed on the general
 20    election ballot.
 21        (2)  Immediately  after  the  primary  election  canvass, the secretary of
 22    state shall issue certificates of nomination to the nonpartisan  candidate  or
 23    candidates who receive the highest number of votes for the number of vacancies
 24    which  are to be filled for a particular office and also to the same number of
 25    candidates who receive the second highest number of votes for  the  particular
 26    office.  The candidates so certified shall have their names placed on the gen-
 27    eral election ballot. If it appears from the canvass that a particular  candi-
 28    date has received a majority of the total vote cast for the particular office,
 29    he shall be issued a certificate of election instead of a certificate of nomi-
 30    nation  and  no  candidates shall run for the particular office in the general
 31    election.

Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Impact



                       STATEMENT OF PURPOSE    
        
                             RS17820

     This legislation amends Idaho's election law to provide that
in the event a political party adopts a party rule limiting who can
participate in their primary election, any voter who appeared at
the polls to vote would be asked if they wanted that party's
primary ballot.  If the voter did select that party's ballot, the
voter's choice would be recorded in the poll book.  In the event no
party chooses to limit participation, Idaho would continue to
conduct an open primary as it has in the past.  This legislation is
less obtrusive to the voters and costs less to implement than
closed or semi-closed primary options and would maintain Idaho's
tradition of never having to register by party affiliation.


                          FISCAL IMPACT

     The fiscal impact of the legislation on the General Fund would
be approximately $200,000 to the general fund to conduct a voter
information campaign and would cost the counties an additional
$64,000 in ballot printing cost, depending on the length of the
ballot.




                    
Contact:  Ben Ysursa
          334-2300

          Tim Hurst
          332-2812


STATEMENT OF PURPOSE/FISCAL NOTE                       S 1507