February 1, 2005





SENATE BILL No. 419

_____


DIGEST OF SB 419 (Updated January 31, 2005 11:59 am - DI 102)



Citations Affected: IC 3-7; IC 3-11; IC 3-11.5; IC 3-12.

Synopsis: Military and overseas voter enhanced access. Permits the use of electronic mail to transmit and receive ballots from military voters and overseas voters through a program authorized and administered by the United States Department of Defense. Provides that the federal form serving as both a registration application and absentee ballot application for military and overseas voters may be submitted by facsimile (fax) transmission. Specifies which types of overseas voters are subject to the provision entitling the voter to cast a ballot for federal offices only. Removes obsolete provisions concerning the printing of certain ballots by the election division. Requires the documentation of certain information concerning absentee applications and ballots cast by military and overseas voters. Conforms state law to 2004 federal legislation requiring the counting of ballots only for federal offices cast by military voters present within the United States, and permitting state law to authorize the counting of these ballots regardless of when a county election board might receive an application for a regular absentee ballot from a military voter or overseas voter.

Effective: Upon passage; July 1, 2005.





Steele, Mishler




    January 13, 2005, read first time and referred to Committee on Elections and Civic Affairs.
    January 31, 2005, reported favorably _ Do Pass.






February 1, 2005

First Regular Session 114th General Assembly (2005)


PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in this style type.
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or this style type reconciles conflicts between statutes enacted by the 2004 Regular Session of the General Assembly.

SENATE BILL No. 419



    A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning elections.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Indiana:

SOURCE: IC 3-7-32-4; (05)SB0419.1.1. -->     SECTION 1. IC 3-7-32-4 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 4. A voter may not submit a registration application by fax or an electronic transmission except as provided in:
         (1) IC 3-11-4 by an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter submitting a registration application on the standard form approved under 42 U.S.C. 1973ff(b); or
         (2) after December 31, 2005, IC 3-7-26.3.
SOURCE: IC 3-11-4-6; (05)SB0419.1.2. -->     SECTION 2. IC 3-11-4-6 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2005]: Sec. 6. (a) This section applies, notwithstanding any other provision of this title, to absentee ballot applications for the following:
        (1) An absent uniformed services voter.
        (2) An address confidentiality program participant (as defined in IC 5-26.5-1-6).
        (3) An overseas voter.
    (b) A county election board shall make blank absentee ballot

applications available for persons covered by this section after November 20 preceding the election to which the application applies. Except as provided in subsection (c), the person may apply for an absentee ballot at any time after the applications are made available.
    (c) A person covered by this section may apply for an absentee ballot for the next scheduled primary, general, or special election at any time by filing a standard form approved under 42 U.S.C. 1973ff(b).
    (d) If the county election board receives an absentee ballot application from a person described by this section, the circuit court clerk shall mail to the person, free of postage as provided by 39 U.S.C. 3406, all ballots for the election immediately upon receipt of the ballots under sections 13 and 15 of this chapter.
    (e) In accordance with 42 U.S.C. 1973ff-3, whenever a voter files an application for an absentee ballot and indicates on the application that the voter:
        (1) is an absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter; and
        (2) does not expect to be in the county on the next general election day following the date the application is filed and expects to remain absent from the county until at least the date of the second general election following the date the application is filed;
the application is an adequate application for an absentee ballot for both subsequent general elections and any municipal or special election conducted during that period. The circuit court clerk and county election board shall process this application and send general election absentee ballots to the voter in the same manner as other general election and special election absentee ballot applications and ballots are processed and sent under this chapter.
    (f) Whenever a voter described in subsection (a)(2) files an application for a primary election absentee ballot and indicates on the application that the voter is an address confidentiality program participant, the application is an adequate application for a general election absentee ballot under this chapter and an absentee ballot for a special election conducted during the twelve (12) months following the date of the application. The circuit court clerk and county election board shall process this application and send general election and special election absentee ballots to the voter in the same manner as other general election and special election absentee ballot applications and ballots are processed and sent under this chapter.
    (g) The name, address, telephone number, and any other identifying information relating to a program participant (as defined in IC 5-26.5-1-6) in the address confidentiality program, as contained in a voting registration record, is declared confidential for purposes of

IC 5-14-3-4(a)(1). The county voter registration office may not disclose for public inspection or copying a name, an address, a telephone number, or any other information described in this subsection, as contained in a voting registration record, except as follows:
        (1) To a law enforcement agency, upon request.
        (2) As directed by a court order.
    (h) The county election board shall by fax (or electronic mail when authorized under this section) transmit an absentee ballot to and receive an absentee ballot from an absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter at the request of the voter. If the voter wants to submit absentee ballots by fax or electronic mail, the voter must separately sign and date a statement on the cover of the fax transmission that states substantively the following: "I understand that by faxing or e-mailing my voted ballot I am voluntarily waiving my right to a secret ballot.".
    (i) The county election board shall send confirmation to a voter described in subsection (h) that the voter's absentee ballot has been received as follows:
        (1) If the voter provides a fax number to which a confirmation may be sent, the county election board shall send the confirmation to the voter at the fax number provided by the voter.
        (2) If the voter provides an electronic mail address to which a confirmation may be sent, the county election board shall send the confirmation to the voter at the electronic mail address provided by the voter.
        (3) If:
            (A) the voter does not provide a fax number or an electronic mail address; or
            (B) the number or address provided does not permit the board to send the confirmation not later than the end of the first business day after the board receives the voter's absentee ballot;
        the county election board shall send the confirmation by United States mail.
The county election board shall send the confirmation required by this subsection not later than the end of the first business day after the county election board receives the voter's absentee ballot.
     (j) A county election board may transmit an absentee ballot to an absent uniformed services voter or an overseas voter by electronic mail under a program authorized and administered by the Federal Voting Assistance Program of the United States Department of Defense. A voter described by this section may

transmit the voted absentee ballot to a county election board by electronic mail in accordance with the procedures established under this program. An electronic mail message transmitting a voted absentee ballot under this subsection must include an optically scanned image of the voter's signature on the statement required under subsection (h).

SOURCE: IC 3-11-4-8; (05)SB0419.1.3. -->     SECTION 3. IC 3-11-4-8 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2005]: Sec. 8. (a) This section applies to an overseas voter described in IC 3-5-2-34.5(3).
    (a) (b) An overseas voter who resides outside the United States and who is no longer a resident of a precinct in Indiana is only entitled to receive absentee ballots for a federal office under this chapter.
    (b) (c) A voter described in subsection (a) is considered to be a voter of the Indiana precinct where the voter registration office of the county where the person was domiciled before leaving the United States is located.
SOURCE: IC 3-11-4-12; (05)SB0419.1.4. -->     SECTION 4. IC 3-11-4-12 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2005]: Sec. 12. (a) The absentee ballots for:
        (1) President and Vice President of the United States;
        (2) United States Senator;
        (3) all state offices; and
        (4) the ratification or rejection of a public question to be voted for by the electorate of the entire state or for the retention of a judge of the Indiana court of appeals;
shall be prepared and printed under the direction of the election division.
    (b) The election division shall have the ballots printed upon certification of the political party tickets and independent candidates.
    (c) Except as provided in subsection (f), ballots prepared under this section must provide space for the voter to cast a write-in ballot.
    (d) (a) The election division shall prepare a special absentee ballot for use by:
        (1) absent uniformed services voters; and
        (2) overseas voters;
who will be outside of the United States on general election day.
    (e) (b) The ballot described by subsection (d): subsection (a):
        (1) must indicate each state office to be elected by the voters at the general election;
        (2) must set forth each public question to be voted for at the general election by the electorate of the entire state;
        (3) may not state the name of any political party or candidate for

election;
        (4) must permit the voter to write in the name of a political party or a candidate for election to each office; and
        (5) must include a notice stating that regular absentee ballots will be mailed to the voter by the county election board as soon as the ballots are available.
    (f) (c) Space for write-in voting for an office is not required if there are no declared write-in candidates for that office. However, procedures must be implemented to permit write-in voting for candidates for federal offices.

SOURCE: IC 3-11-4-13; (05)SB0419.1.5. -->     SECTION 5. IC 3-11-4-13 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2005]: Sec. 13. (a) Except as provided in subsections (b) and (c), the absentee ballots that are prepared and printed under the direction of the election division shall be delivered to the circuit court clerk or the clerk's authorized deputy not less than forty-five (45) days before a general election or twenty-nine (29) days before a special election. The absentee ballots shall be delivered in the same manner that other official ballots are delivered.
    (b) This subsection applies to the printing of absentee ballots for a general election in which the names of nominees for President and Vice President of the United States are to be printed on the ballot. The absentee ballots that are prepared and printed under the direction of the election division shall be delivered to the circuit court clerk not later than thirty-eight (38) days before the general election.
    (c) An absentee ballot described by section 12(d) section 12(a) of this chapter shall be delivered by the election division to the circuit court clerk or the clerk's authorized deputy not later than the first Monday in June before a general election.
SOURCE: IC 3-11-4-17; (05)SB0419.1.6. -->     SECTION 6. IC 3-11-4-17 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2005]: Sec. 17. Upon receipt of an application for an absentee ballot, a circuit court clerk shall file the application in the clerk's office and record all of the following:
        (1) The voter's name.
        (2) The date the application is received.
        (3) The date the ballot is sent to the voter.
        (4) If mailed, the address to which the ballot is sent.
        (5) If transmitted by fax, the fax number to which the ballot is faxed.
        (6) The date the ballot is marked before the clerk or otherwise received from the voter.
         (7) The combined total number of absentee ballots sent by the

county to absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters.
        (8) The total number of absentee ballots returned by voters described in subdivision (7) in time to be counted.
        (9) The total number of absentee ballots described in subdivision (7) that were counted in whole or in part.

        (7) (10) Any other information that is necessary or advisable.

SOURCE: IC 3-11-10-1; (05)SB0419.1.7. -->     SECTION 7. IC 3-11-10-1 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2005]: Sec. 1. (a) A voter voting by absentee ballot shall make and subscribe to the affidavit prescribed by IC 3-11-4-21. The voter then shall, except as provided in subsection (b), do the following:
        (1) Mark the ballot in the presence of no other person.
        (2) Fold each ballot separately.
        (3) Fold each ballot so as to conceal the marking.
        (4) Enclose each ballot, with the seal and signature of the circuit court clerk on the outside, together with any unused ballot, in the envelope provided.
        (5) Securely seal the envelope.
        (6) Do one (1) of the following:
            (A) Mail the envelope to the county election board, with not more than one (1) ballot per envelope.
            (B) Deliver the envelope to the county election board in person.
            (C) Deliver the envelope to a member of the voter's household or a person designated as the attorney in fact for the voter under IC 30-5.
    (b) A voter permitted to transmit the voter's absentee ballots by fax or electronic mail under IC 3-11-4-6 is not required to comply with subsection (a). The individual designated by the circuit court clerk to receive absentee ballots transmitted by fax or electronic mail shall do the following upon receipt of an absentee ballot transmitted by fax:
        (1) Note the receipt of the absentee ballot in the records of the circuit court clerk as other absentee ballots received by the circuit court clerk are noted.
        (2) Fold each ballot received from the voter separately so as to conceal the marking.
        (3) Enclose each ballot in a blank absentee ballot envelope.
        (4) Securely seal the envelope.
        (5) Mark on the envelope: "Absentee Ballot Received by Fax or Electronic Mail".
        (6) Securely attach to the envelope the faxed affidavit received

with the voter's absentee ballots.
    (c) Except as otherwise provided in this title, absentee ballots received by fax or electronic mail shall be handled and processed as other absentee ballots received by the circuit court clerk are handled and processed.

SOURCE: IC 3-11-10-4; (05)SB0419.1.8. -->     SECTION 8. IC 3-11-10-4 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2005]: Sec. 4. (a) Upon receipt of an absentee ballot, a county election board (or the absentee voter board in the office of the circuit court clerk) shall immediately examine the signature of the absentee voter to determine its genuineness.
    (b) This subsection does not apply to an absentee ballot cast by a voter permitted to transmit the voter's absentee ballots by fax or electronic mail under IC 3-11-4-6. The board shall compare the signature as it appears upon the envelope containing the absentee ballot with the signature of the voter as it appears upon the application for the absentee ballot. The board may also compare the signature on the ballot envelope with any other admittedly genuine signature of the voter.
    (c) This subsection applies to an absentee ballot cast by a voter permitted to transmit the voter's absentee ballots by fax or electronic mail under IC 3-11-4-6. The board shall compare the signature as it appears on the affidavit transmitted with the voter's absentee ballot to the voter's signature as it appears on the application for the absentee ballot. The board may also compare the signature on the affidavit with any other admittedly genuine signature of the voter.
    (d) If a member of the absentee voter board questions whether a signature on a ballot envelope or transmitted affidavit is genuine, the matter shall be referred to the county election board for consideration under section 5 of this chapter.
SOURCE: IC 3-11-10-12; (05)SB0419.1.9. -->     SECTION 9. IC 3-11-10-12 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2005]: Sec. 12. (a) Each county election board shall have all absentee ballots delivered to the precinct election boards at their respective polls on election day.
    (b) The absentee ballots shall be delivered during the hours that the polls are open and in sufficient time to enable the precinct election boards to vote the ballots during the time the polls are open.
    (c) This subsection applies after December 31, 2003. Along with the absentee ballots delivered to the precinct election boards under subsection (a), each county election board shall provide a list certified by the circuit court clerk. This list must state the name of each voter subject to IC 3-7-33-4.5 who:
        (1) filed the documentation required by IC 3-7-33-4.5 with the county voter registration office after the printing of the certified

list under IC 3-7-29 or the poll list under IC 3-11-3-18; and
        (2) as a result, is entitled to have the voter's absentee ballot counted if the ballot otherwise complies with this title.
    (d) This subsection applies after December 31, 2003. If the county election board is notified not later than 3 p.m. on election day by the county voter registration office that a voter subject to IC 3-7-33-4.5 and not identified in the list certified under subsection (c) has filed documentation with the office that complies with IC 3-7-33-4.5, the county election board shall transmit a supplemental certified list to the appropriate precinct election board. If the board determines that the supplemental list may not be received before the closing of the polls, the board shall:
        (1) attempt to contact the precinct election board to inform the board regarding the content of the supplemental list; and
        (2) file a copy of the supplemental list for that precinct as part of the permanent records of the board.
    (e) This subsection applies to a special write-in absentee ballot described in:
        (1) 42 U.S.C. 1973ff for federal offices; and
        (2) IC 3-11-4-12(d) IC 3-11-4-12(a) for state offices.
If the county election board receives both a special write-in absentee ballot and the regular absentee ballot described by IC 3-11-4-12 from the same voter, the county election board shall reject the special write-in ballot and deliver only the regular absentee ballot to the precinct election board.

SOURCE: IC 3-11-10-14; (05)SB0419.1.10. -->     SECTION 10. IC 3-11-10-14 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2005]: Sec. 14. Subject to section 11 of this chapter, absentee ballots received by mail (or by fax or electronic mail under IC 3-11-4-6) after the county election board has started the final delivery of the ballots to the precincts on election day are considered as arriving too late and need not be delivered to the polls.
SOURCE: IC 3-11-10-17; (05)SB0419.1.11. -->     SECTION 11. IC 3-11-10-17 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2005]: Sec. 17. (a) If the inspector finds under section 15 of this chapter that any of the following applies, a ballot may not be accepted or counted:
        (1) The affidavit is insufficient or the ballot has not been endorsed with the initials of:
            (A) the two (2) members of the absentee voter board in the office of the circuit court clerk under IC 3-11-4-19 or section 27 of this chapter;
            (B) the two (2) members of the absentee voter board visiting

the voter under section 25(b) of the chapter; or
            (C) the two (2) appointed members of the county election board or their designated representatives under IC 3-11-4-19.
        (2) A copy of the voter's signature has been furnished to the precinct election board and that the signatures do not correspond or there is no signature.
        (3) The absentee voter is not a qualified voter in the precinct.
        (4) The absentee voter has voted in person at the election.
        (5) The absentee voter has not registered.
        (6) The ballot is open or has been opened and resealed. This subdivision does not permit an absentee ballot transmitted by fax or electronic mail under IC 3-11-4-6 to be rejected because the ballot was sealed in the absentee ballot envelope by the individual designated by the circuit court to receive absentee ballots transmitted by fax or electronic mail.
        (7) The ballot envelope contains more than one (1) ballot of any kind for the same office or public question.
        (8) In case of a primary election, if the absentee voter has not previously voted, the voter failed to execute the proper declaration relative to age and qualifications and the political party with which the voter intends to affiliate.
        (9) The ballot has been challenged and not supported.
    (b) Subsection (c) applies whenever a voter with a disability is unable to make a signature:
        (1) on an absentee ballot application that corresponds to the voter's signature in the records of the county voter registration office; or
        (2) on an absentee ballot secrecy envelope that corresponds with the voter's signature:
            (A) in the records of the county voter registration office; or
            (B) on the absentee ballot application.
    (c) The voter may request that the voter's signature or mark be attested to by:
        (1) the absentee voter board under section 25(b) of this chapter;
        (2) a member of the voter's household; or
        (3) an individual serving as attorney in fact for the voter.
    (d) An attestation under subsection (c) provides an adequate basis for an inspector to determine that a signature or mark complies with subsection (a)(2).

SOURCE: IC 3-11.5-4-10; (05)SB0419.1.12. -->     SECTION 12. IC 3-11.5-4-10 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2005]: Sec. 10. Subject to section 7 of this chapter, absentee ballots received by mail (or by fax or

electronic mail under IC 3-11-4-6) after noon on election day are considered as arriving too late and may not be counted.

SOURCE: IC 3-11.5-4-13; (05)SB0419.1.13. -->     SECTION 13. IC 3-11.5-4-13 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2005]: Sec. 13. (a) If the absentee ballot counters find under section 11 of this chapter that any of the following applies, the ballots shall be rejected:
        (1) The affidavit is insufficient or that the ballot has not been endorsed with the initials of:
            (A) the two (2) members of the absentee voter board in the office of the clerk of the circuit court under IC 3-11-4-19 or IC 3-11-10-27;
            (B) the two (2) members of the absentee voter board visiting the voter under IC 3-11-10-25; or
            (C) the two (2) appointed members of the county election board or their designated representatives under IC 3-11-4-19.
        (2) The signatures do not correspond or there is no signature.
        (3) The absentee voter is not a qualified voter in the precinct.
        (4) The absentee voter has voted in person at the election.
        (5) The absentee voter has not registered.
        (6) The ballot is open or has been opened and resealed. This subdivision does not permit an absentee ballot transmitted by fax or electronic mail under IC 3-11-4-6 to be rejected because the ballot was sealed in the absentee ballot envelope by the individual designated by the circuit court to receive absentee ballots transmitted by fax or electronic mail.
        (7) The ballot envelope contains more than one (1) ballot of any kind for the same office or public question.
        (8) In case of a primary election, if the absentee voter has not previously voted, the voter failed to execute the proper declaration relative to age and qualifications and the political party with which the voter intends to affiliate.
        (9) The ballot has been challenged and not supported.
    (b) Subsection (c) applies whenever a voter with a disability is unable to make a signature:
        (1) on an absentee ballot application that corresponds to the voter's signature in the records of the county voter registration office; or
        (2) on an absentee ballot security envelope that corresponds with the voter's signature:
            (A) in the records of the county voter registration office; or
            (B) on the absentee ballot application.
    (c) The voter may request that the voter's signature or mark be

attested to by any of the following:
        (1) The absentee voter board under section 22 of this chapter.
        (2) A member of the voter's household.
        (3) An individual serving as attorney in fact for the voter.
    (d) An attestation under subsection (c) provides an adequate basis for the absentee ballot counters to determine that a signature or mark complies with subsection (a)(2).
    (e) If the absentee ballot counters are unable to agree on a finding described under this section or section 12 of this chapter, the county election board shall make the finding.
    (f) The absentee ballot counters or county election board shall issue a certificate to a voter whose ballot has been rejected under this section if the voter appears in person before the board not later than 5 p.m. on election day. The certificate must state that the voter's absentee ballot has been rejected and that the voter may vote in person under section 21 of this chapter if otherwise qualified to vote.

SOURCE: IC 3-11.5-5-14; (05)SB0419.1.14. -->     SECTION 14. IC 3-11.5-5-14 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2005]: Sec. 14. (a) This section applies to the counting of write-in absentee ballots for:
        (1) a federal office received under 42 U.S.C. 1973ff; and
        (2) a federal office, state office, or public question under IC 3-11-4-12(d). IC 3-11-4-12(a).
    (b) If a voter writes an abbreviation, a misspelling, or other minor variation instead of the correct name of a candidate or political party, that vote shall be counted if the intent of the voter can be determined.
    (c) If a voter casts a ballot under this section for President or Vice President and writes in the name of a candidate or political party that has not certified a list of electors under IC 3-10-4-5, the vote for President or Vice President is void. The remaining votes on the ballot may be counted.
    (d) IC 3-12-1-7 applies to a ballot subject to this section.
    (e) A ballot subject to this section may not be counted if:
        (1) the ballot was submitted from within the United States;
        (2) the voter's application for a regular absentee ballot was received by the circuit court clerk or board of registration less than thirty (30) days before the election;
        (3) the voter's completed regular state absentee ballot was received by the circuit court clerk or board of registration by the deadline for receiving absentee ballots under IC 3-11.5-4-7; or
        (4) the ballot subject to this section was not received by the circuit court clerk or board of registration by the deadline for receiving absentee ballots under IC 3-11.5-4-7.
SOURCE: IC 3-12-2-7.5; (05)SB0419.1.15. -->     SECTION 15. IC 3-12-2-7.5 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE UPON PASSAGE]: Sec. 7.5. (a) This section applies to the counting of write-in absentee ballots for:
        (1) a federal office received under 42 U.S.C. 1973ff; and
        (2) a federal office, state office, or public question under IC 3-11-4-12(d). IC 3-11-4-12.
    (b) If a voter writes an abbreviation, misspelling, or other minor variation instead of the correct name of a candidate or political party, that vote shall be counted if the intent of the voter can be determined.
    (c) If a voter casts a ballot under this section for President or Vice President of the United States and writes in the name of a candidate or political party that has not:
        (1) certified a list of electors under IC 3-10-4-5; or
        (2) included a list of electors on the declaration for candidacy filed by a write-in candidate under IC 3-8-2-2.5;
the vote for President or Vice President is void. The remaining votes on the ballot may be counted.
    (d) IC 3-12-1-7 applies to a ballot subject to this section.
    (e) A ballot subject to this section may not be counted if:
        (1) the ballot was submitted:
             (A) by an overseas voter who is not an absent uniformed services voter; and
            (B)
from within the United States;
        (2) the voter's application for a regular absentee ballot was received by the circuit court clerk or board of registration less than thirty (30) days before the election;
        (3) (2) the voter's completed regular state absentee ballot was received by the circuit court clerk or county election board of registration by the deadline for receiving absentee ballots under IC 3-11-10-11; or
        (4) (3) the ballot subject to this section was not received by the circuit court clerk or county election board of registration by the deadline for receiving absentee ballots under IC 3-11-10-11.
SOURCE: IC 3-12-3-5; (05)SB0419.1.16. -->     SECTION 16. IC 3-12-3-5 IS AMENDED TO READ AS FOLLOWS [EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2005]: Sec. 5. (a) If a ballot card is damaged or defective so that it cannot properly be counted by the automatic tabulating machines, then a remake team composed of one (1) person from each of the major political parties of the county shall have the card prepared for processing so as to record accurately the intention of the voter insofar as it can be ascertained.
    (b) If the ballot card voting system is designed to allow the counting and tabulation of votes by the precinct election board, the members of

the remake team must be members of the precinct election board in which the ballot was cast.
    (c) If necessary, a true, duplicate copy shall be made of the damaged ballot card in the presence of witnesses and substituted for the damaged card. Similarly, a duplicate ballot card shall be made of a defective card, not including the uncounted votes.
    (d) This subsection applies to an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter permitted to transmit an absentee ballot by fax or electronic mail under IC 3-11-4-6. To facilitate the transmittal and return of the voter's absentee ballot by fax or electronic mail, the county election board may provide the voter with a paper ballot rather than a ballot card. The paper ballot must conform with the requirements for paper ballots set forth in IC 3-10 and IC 3-11. After the voter returns the ballot by fax or electronic mail, a remake team appointed under this section shall prepare a ballot card for processing that accurately records the intention of the voter as indicated on the paper ballot. The ballot card created under this subsection must be marked and counted as a duplicate ballot under sections 6 through 7 of this chapter.
    (e) If an automatic tabulating machine fails during the counting and tabulation of votes following the close of the polls, the county election board shall immediately arrange for the repair and proper functioning of the system. The county election board may, by unanimous vote of its entire membership, authorize the counting and tabulation of votes for this election on an automatic tabulating machine approved for use in Indiana by the commission:
        (1) until the repair and retesting of the malfunctioning machine; and
        (2) whether or not the machine was tested under IC 3-11-13-22.

SOURCE: ; (05)SB0419.1.17. -->     SECTION 17. An emergency is declared for this act.