| In the interest of speed and timeliness, this story is fed directly from the Associated Press newswire and may contain spelling or grammatical errors. |
Bill requires posting of voters' rights in polling places
Tuesday June 03, 2003SACRAMENTO (AP) State voter pamphlets and polling places would have to list voters' rights under a bill approved Tuesday by the state Assembly.
``Too many voters are unaware of their rights,'' said the bill's author, Assemblywoman Jenny Oropeza, D-Los Angeles. ``Last November we saw voters turned away from the polls because they did not know they could vote using a provisional ballot.''
Voters would be notified of their 10 rights, including the right to demand a provisional ballot and vote if their name isn't listed on voter rolls at a polling place.
Those ballots are counted only if election officials determine later that the person was eligible to vote.
Other voters' rights include the right to:<
Vote if they're in line when the polls close.
Receive a new ballot if they made a mistake the first time.
Receive election materials in another language if enough people in that precinct speak that language.
Return a completed absentee ballot to any precinct in the county.
Receive help casting a ballot if needed.
A 64-0 vote sent the bill to the Senate.
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On the Net: Read the bill, AB177, at www.assembly.ca.gov
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