RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
1S-2.051: Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed new rule is to implement the requirements of Chapter 2011-162, Laws of Florida, which expanded the use of federal write-in absentee ballots (which is a back-up ballot to the state absentee ballot) beyond federal elections to include a state or local election involving two or more candidates. The new law takes effect July 1, 2011. The new law requires the Department of State to adopt directions and criteria for determining voter intent on a federal write-in absentee ballot in the event of a recount. No statement of estimated regulatory cost is triggered and therefore no statement is prepared. Since no SERC is required or prepared, and no information exists other than past experiences associated with this subject matter, the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification pursuant to Section 120.541(3), Florida Statutes, or any other statute, in order to become effective.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Federal Write-in Absentee Ballots.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 20.10(3), 97.012(1), 102.166(4) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 101.6952, 101.5614, 102.166 FS.
A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: August 15, 2011, 3:30 p.m.
PLACE: Florida Department of State, R.A. Gray Building, Room 307, 500 S. Bronough Street, 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 L. Phillips, Executive Assistant, Office of General Counsel, Department of State at 1(850)245-6536 or at elphillips@dos.state.fl.us. 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: Maria Matthews, Assistant General Counsel, Office of General Counsel at (850)245-6536, mimatthews@dos.state.fl.us or Dr. Gisela Salas, Director, Division of Elections, (850)245-6200, Gisela.Salas@dos.myflorida.com, Florida Department of State, 500 S. Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250