Indiana Election Division 317 2323929 dsimmonsiecingov 2012 VOTER REGISTRATION ASSOCIATION CONFERENCE Voter Registration Crunch Time Voter Registration Crunch Time How Voter Registration deadlines work in 2012 ID: 694486
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Dale SimmonsCo-General CounselIndiana Election Division(317) 232-3929dsimmons@iec.in.gov
2012
VOTER REGISTRATION ASSOCIATION CONFERENCESlide2
Voter Registration Crunch TimeSlide3
Voter Registration Crunch TimeHow Voter Registration deadlines work in 2012: October 9, 2012 is the registration deadline because the regular deadline (October 8) is a state holiday (Columbus Day)
In Contrast, county offices open on Columbus Day begin in-person absentee voting October 8 because it is the
first day
for an activity and is not a deadline so it does not transfer to October 9Slide4
Voter Registration Crunch TimeApplying Postmark Rules to VR deadline:A registration received by county or IED that is postmarked by October 9 is timely
(IC 3-7-33-4)
If postmark is missing then registration is timely if it’s
received
by county or by IED
by Monday October 15
Registrations submitted at full-service registration agencies (FSSA or BMV, for example) by October 9 but mailed to you after October 9 are timely- they are not subject to postmark rule
Postmark rule does not apply to absentee ballot applications to vote by mail
which must be
received by
11:59 p.m. October 29Slide5
Voter Registration Crunch TimeOther Registration Deadlines:Online voter registration by midnight (11:59 p.m.) on October 9, 2012
(IC 3-7-33-3.5(b))
Registration deadline for Military and Overseas voters have a “received date.” So long as you receive it by October 29, 2012 it is timely even if postmarked after October 9
(IC 3-7-36-10)Slide6
Voter Registration Crunch TimeWhy didn’t someone tell me the deadline to register is Tuesday October 9!!!!!!!Slide7
Voter Registration Crunch TimeLast minute options: Hand-deliver by Oct. 9 to your office or IED
Get application postmarked by Oct. 9
If have a
full-service transaction at voter registration agency Oct. 9 or before (BMV renew license or apply for benefits at FSSA, for example)
If no full-service transaction at agency person is given a mail-in form (VRG-7)
Online voter registration by midnight October 9
Avoids delay of mail
Avoids county data entrySlide8
Voter Registration Crunch TimeAcceptable routine forms: VRG-7, VRG-11, VRG-6, FPCAVRG-6 are timely if voter registered by the registration deadline and agency has 5 days to mail. Postmark rule does not apply if registration was made at an agency on or before deadline
Acceptable unusual form: We see many more “federal” forms in presidential year
Not acceptable: State of
Michigan registration form
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Federal FormSlide10
Michigan Registration FormSlide11
Voter Registration Crunch TimeThe 7-day pending period is not suspended by crunch time (SOP VRG 13.1)
VR applicant is not legally registered to vote until expiration of pending period
If acknowledgement notice mailed is presented in person at county VR person can be active before 7-day pending period expires (override)
Overlap of in-person absentee voting: Absentee voters who are not active may vote absentee and ballot “shall be treated as a provisional ballot”
(IC 3-11-4-17.5(a))Slide12
Voter Registration Crunch TimeWhat’s an SOP?
SVRS Standard Operating Procedures (Calendar and Links from main page)
Guidance from IED on application of the law to voter registration transactions and how to implement them in the SVRSSlide13
Voter Registration Crunch TimeLockdown of Auto Activate & Pending PeriodAfter October 9: County can continue to process individual registrations & activate them after October 9
You will get a notice in SVRS that registration is closed but you simply
go past
that for timely registrations
However “Auto Activate” of pending voters will be locked in SVRS after registration closesSlide14
Voter Registration Crunch TimeSlide15
Voter Registration Crunch TimeLockdown of Auto ActivateEven though Auto Activate locked after Oct. 9 it can be unlocked if county unable to process registrations in time to print on poll book
County must submit request for approval to core team per SOP GEN 7.2 (updated request on county portal or from Marsha)
If approved county may auto-activate pending voters for poll book purposes only
County must update SVRS record and poll book using “Pending Voter List Report” Slide16
Voter Registration Crunch TimeSVRS Navigation to Auto ActivateSlide17
Voter Registration Crunch TimeVoter List Maintenance Program Deadline (also sometimes referred to as “lockdown
”
)
A voter list maintenance program must be completed no later than 90 days before the election (August 8) (
IC 3-7-38.2)
This refers to a “general” program like a county-wide mailing or NCOA mailing
A county may still cancel registrations based upon:
1) Request of the voter, including transfers;
2) Death of voter (DOH hopper)
3) Imprisonment following conviction of crimeSlide18
Voter Registration Crunch TimeDuplicate Registration: This year more than any other people submit duplicate registrations
More $$$$ spent on voter registration drives
People concerned they have been cancelled solely because they haven’t voted in a while
“County voter registration office shall send a notice (acknowledgement notice) to each person from whom the county…receives a voter registration application” (IC 3-7-33-5(b))
No exception for “similar” or “substantially similar” applicationsSlide19
Voter Registration Crunch TimeIncomplete Registrations (SOP VRG 1.3)Registrations are not “incomplete” because first time voter registering by mail did not include documentation (See SOP VRG 50.1)
Required to contact voter once by mail once by phone to complete registration
“Age” and “citizenship” questions requires “written statement” by registration deadline
Other information may be provided in writing or over the phone (must “document” information provided over the phone)
Certify incomplete to CEB if not completed by 10 day deadline for poll bookSlide20
New LegislationIndiana General Assembly website:www.in.gov/legislative under “Bills and Resolutions”Election Division 2012 Legislative Summary:www.in.gov/sos/elections/ and select “Election Administrator’s Portal” and then select “legislative summaries”New 2012 Election Code Book SupplementAvailable August 2012Slide21
New Legislation Petition CandidatesCounty election board may not include petition candidate (minor party or independent) on ballot unless both CAN-19 and CAN-20 are timely filed. (New IC 3-8-6-12.5)No candidate challenge is necessary for board to keep candidate who fails to file timely CAN-19 or CAN-20 off the ballotSlide22
New LegislationAll Petition CandidatesCounty Voter Registration Office must certify whether the signatures on a petition are registered voters of the election districtClerk must still certify whether or not candidate submitted sufficient number of certified petition signatures (IC 3-8-6-12) 2% of the total votes cast for the office of Secretary of State in 2010Sample certification, and denial of certification, available from IED in word formatSlide23
The ENDWhen your stressed out remember the best thing about the 2012 Presidential Election is….you know that 2013 is a non-election year!