RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
1S-2.049: Absentee Ballots - Absent Stateside Uniformed Services Voters
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: This rule deals exclusively with the request delivery and return of absentee ballots for absent stateside (but not overseas) uniformed services voters and their dependent children and spouses who are absent from county as a result of that active duty. The proposed revisions are made to the ballot instructions to conform to sections 38 and 39 of Chapter 2011-40, Laws of Florida, which became effective May 19, 2011. The new additions serve as notice to the voter that if the signature on the certificate does not match the signature on record, the ballot will not count at time of canvassing. The voter has up until the first day of canvassing to update his or her signature to ensure that ballots will count. Under new law, canvassing may start as soon as 15 days before election day. No statement of estimated regulatory cost is triggered and therefore statement is prepared. No legislative ratification is required for this rule revision to become effective.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Absentee ballot process for absent stateside military voters.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 20.10(3), 97.012(1), 101.697 FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 101.62, 101.64, 101.65, 101.6923, 101.697 FS.
A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: July 18, 2011, 1:00 p.m.
PLACE: Room 307, R.A. Gray Building, Florida Department of State, Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Eddie Phillips, elphillips@dos.state.fl.us, Administrative Assistant, Office of General Counsel, Department of State, R.A. Gray Building, 500 S. Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250, telephone: (850)245-6224. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Ernie Phillips, elphillips@dos.state.fl.us, administrative assistant, Office of General Counsel, Department of State, R.A. Gray Building, 500 S. Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250, telephone: (850)245-6224

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE FROM THE CONTACT PERSON LISTED ABOVE.