COM 0967.000 1996-1998 - Laserfiche WebLink

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VBMCC Re - 9119/96: Admen ctio. Report of Ele nttp:/Avww.sos.stale.o.../vbmcc.study/admin.htr REPORT OF THE VOTE-BY-MAIL CITIZEN COMMISSION September 19, 1996 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The Vote-by-Mail Citizen Commission offers specific recommendations regarding Administration of Elections The Commission compared vote-by-mail procedures and polling place procedures to understand the ways in which they may differ. Members considered variations in elections procedures as well as issues of duplicate and replacement ballots, security of the system, and potential for fraud. In order to reduce the problem of duplicate ballots and to improve the efficiency of elections administration, the VBMCC recommends the Secretary of State work with County Elections officials and County Boards of Commissioners to: ¦ Regularly include an insert in ballot mailings that reminds voters of the importance of keeping their registration updated, of what to do if the voter receives more than one ballot, and of the penalties for voting more than one ballot ¦ Initiate the implementation of centralized voter registration. The Commission believes counties should take additional steps to standardize processes and further enhance security to reduce the possibility of fraud and manipulation in the vote-by-mail system. The VBMCC recognizes counties have varying levels of resources for this purpose, but believes that should savings be realized in conducting elections by mail, the County Elections officials and the State Elections Division should: ¦ Effect implementation of more standardized elections procedures among counties by whatever means are available in order to increase the level of security in Vote-by-Mail elections as well as absentee balloting. • Increase the use of technology. ¦ Require party identification to be coded in some manner on outer mail ballot envelopes so that party affiliation is not easily identifiable.