The Voting News Daily: CA Bill would return June Primary, IN Vote Center Bill, Voter ID in MN and NC
CA: Bill would return California’s 2012 presidential primary to June – Los Angeles Times
For years, Sacramento lawmakers worked to give California voters a bigger say in national politics by scheduling the state’s presidential primary as early as they could. The series of moves culminated in 2008 with a Feb. 5 vote, the earliest in state history. But now a legislative effort is underway to move the California primary back where it started — to June, on the last day of the 2012 nominating season — as a way to save tens of millions of dollars. “That’s a lot of money,” said the bill’s sponsor, Assemblyman Paul Fong (D-Cupertino), “at a time when every penny counts.” Read More
CA: Brown’s budget includes cuts that could jeopardize voting by mail – bellinghamherald.com
Nearly 5 million voters chose to cast their ballots by mail when California Gov. Jerry Brown was elected in November, representing almost half of all votes cast in the statewide contest. Now election officials are warning that a piece of Brown’s budget proposal could put the increasingly popular form of balloting – and the integrity of the voting process – in jeopardy. As part of his plan to close a projected $25.4 billion deficit, Brown wants to stop reimbursing local governments for the costs of complying with various state laws, including the 1978 law that gives all California voters the option of casting their ballot by mail. Read More
CA: Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Elections Agenda – SCC Public Portal
The Santa Clara County Citizens’ Advisory Commission on Elections will host a presentation of the Trachtenberg Election Verification System (TEVS) on Thursday, February 17, 2011, at 6:00 p.m., in the Isaac Newton Senter Auditorium, First Floor, County Government Center, 70 West Hedding, San Jose. Read More
CA: Rep. Jane Harman to resign from Congress, sets up special election – Washington Post
California Rep. Jane Harman (D) will resign from Congress, a surprise announcement that will set off a special election in her 36th district. “This is an excruciating decision because the distinction of representing the smartest constituents on earth will never be surpassed — nor will my relationships with my exceptional staff and colleagues in Congress,” said Harman in an email sent to supporters today. Harman added that she had filed paperwork with the House to let them know she was “in discussions to succeed former Rep. Lee Hamilton as President and CEO of the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.” Read More
GA: Lawmakers split on shortening early voting – Times-Georgian
Georgia legislators representing Douglas County are split along party lines on legislation to shorten the early voting period. Local Democrats say they want to give voters an much opportunity possible to cast ballots, while Republicans say cutting the number of days would still allow plenty of time to vote and save small cities and counties money on election costs. House Bill (HB) 92, sponsored by Rep. Mark Hamilton (R-Cumming), would shorten the early voting period from 45 to 21 days, but would require polls to be open at least one Saturday during the early voting period.