Sacramento - Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) announced his first annual “There Oughta Be a Law…or Not” contest winner today. The winner, Steve Silberstein of Belvedere, was one of nearly 50 participants who submitted entries in the district-wide contest. His idea has now been introduced as AB 1654, and he has been invited to testify at a committee hearing in the State Capitol when the bill is heard. 

“It is very exiting to see the response we received from the district,” said Huffman. “This contest proved that the people want to be involved with their government, and used this forum to have their voices heard”.

The contest invited citizens of the 6th Assembly District to submit ideas for new state legislation or to repeal laws.  Each applicant was asked to fill out a questionnaire describing the law they believe “ought to be” or a repeal of a law that “ought not be”. Applicants were encouraged to be as thorough as possible when explaining their bill ideas in order to understand the issue.

AB 1654 would allow the governing body of a district, city, or county to conduct any election by mail.  Mail ballot voting has increased steadily in California for over 40 years.  Nearly half of the state’s votes are now cast by mail.  In the 2006 primary, 46.9% of the ballots were cast by mail and in the 2006 general election; nearly 42% of the ballots were cast by mail.  Of the 58 counties, 16 received more ballots by mail than at polling places.

While no jurisdiction would be forced to conduct mail-only elections, vote by mail elections have several advantages over traditional polling place elections, which is why many jurisdictions may choose to go this route. Voters are afforded more time and greater flexibility to submit their ballot which may lead to greater voter turnout. Voter rolls are also easier to accurately maintain, and it is more cost-effective and easier to administer than polling place elections.  Further, voting by mail removes barriers to voting like long lines, limited parking, and time constraints on voters from work and family.

In 1998, Oregon voters approved Ballot Measure 60, which required all elections in Oregon to be conducted entirely by mail.  Since Oregon has moved to voting by mail, voter turnout in Oregon has been among the highest in the nation.  Additionally, the change to vote by mail has saved Oregon taxpayers 30% in election-related overhead costs.

The bill has already garnered support from the League of California Cities, the California Association of Clerks and Elected Officials and the California State Association of Letter Carriers and is being joint-authored by Assembly Members Mark DeSaulnier, and Lori Saldaña.