Inside Elections

If AssemblymemberFuller’s bill, AB 306 (Fuller), is passed by the Legislature and signed by the Governor, it will give the Secretary of State the ability to let voters opt out of receiving a paper copy of the state sample ballot pamphlet in the mail and instead allow voters to get their sample ballot materials online.

This has the potential to save the state a bundle of money!  And, we need them to save money! IOUs won’t do.

We have asked Assemblymember Fuller to take the bill a step further and make it applicable to counties as well. And to conform county standards to the state standard.  These are the specifics of our request:

1. Allow counties to send one (1) copy of the county’s Official Sample Ballot & Voter Information Guide per household.  Right now, counties are required to send every voter his/her own copy. The state is only required to send one copy per household. Seems like the standard should be one and the same.

2. Allow county voters to opt out of receiving the county’s publication – the Official Sample Ballot & Voter Information Guide – online. We already provide this information online.  Why not give people the chance to get their materials online if they want to? 

3. And lastly, to get on the stick.  Let’s do this with urgency!  The savings are needed now. The coming election would be the perfect time to reap some savings and set things up for the gubernatorial in June 2010.

And, it should be mentioned, in any opt out scenario, voters could opt back in at any time. period.

Do us a favor – send a email to Assemblymember Fuller – tell her you think this is a great idea and ask her to add the San Mateo County amendments. Thanks!

Happy Fourth of July!