To revise and update election provisions in order to better accomodate overseas and military voters. The bill changes filing deadlines, updates references to facsimile transmisson s to include all electronic means, reduces requirements for original doccuments for ballot request, and reduces some lead times for special elections. (Companion: SB 5171).   Official Text and Analysis.

Adds one provision to the original bill that addresses technical issues arising from the upcoming redistricting process and its effect on the 2012 April special election schedule. Only for the year 2012, the date of the April special election is moved one week earlier, to the third Tuesday, or April 17, 2012. For that special election only, the county canvassing board must complete the canvass and certify the election results 10 days after election day. This new provision will provide an extra week and a half between the date when the April election is finalized and the date of candidate filing. The extra time is needed to make necessary changes in voter registration systems to facilitate the accurate assignment of voters to their new jurisdictions and precincts following redistricting.