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RAMSEY �OUNTY 20�7' LEGISLATIVE PROPOSAL DEPARTMENT: Property Records ar�d Re�en�e PROGRAM PROP4SAL: P�rmit voters to cast a ballot in person at ar�y location where absentee ballots are avaiiable to the voter during the eight days prior to an electior�. This proposai wili also enable the county, municipalit�es and schooi districts �o properly implement �he provisions of federal artd sta�e laws concerning aecessibl� votittg systems for persons with disabilities or limi�ed English lang�age skitls. Proposed lange�age is atiached. FISCAL iMPACT: There woutd be a reduetion iro costs of admiraisterir�g in-person vo�ing at the Ramsey County Electio�� office and at the municipal and school district offices due to the fact tF�at it would no longer be �aecessary for voters to use the absentee ballot �nrr�lop�s and forms �o c��t ah� b�lltat. ln additican, havirag a roster for voters to sign elimir�afies fihe sta�Ff' time needed to retrieve absentee applications for purposes vf sigr�ature comparison, It is estimaied that a cost reduction of approximately $3.00 per voter transacfion will resuli from a streamlining of the process for in-p�rson vo#ing prior to �fection day. Typically, in-person voting acco�nts for approximately '15-20% of alf abser�tee �oting activity and th�s proportion has been increasing in recent years. SPECiFlCS ON WHO WIL� SUPPC}RT �R OPP(3S� TH�S I.EGlS�ATION: The major elements of �his proposal were contained in the House omnibus eleciior� bill in 2005. Th� prcaposal was no� ul�imately vofied on by t�e House. A somewhat related proposal au�F�ori�ir�� "eariy �oting", which is common in other s�ates, was defeaied in t�re Senate in 2€)05 by a 28-38 vote. The opposifion appeared to be from members wf�o were not comfortabie with expanded opportu�tities io va�e by mail. DEPARTMENT CONTACT AN[} PHONE NUMBER: Dorothy A. McClung: 65't-ZS6-2196 Joe Mansky: 657 �266-2221