AB 1805 Summary

• Replaces the term "special absentee voter" with "military or overseas voter" and expands voting rights to include U.S. citizens living permanently outside the territorial limits of the United States who were once California residents.

• Extends voting procedures for federal elections to military or overseas voters in all state and local elections, and allows citizens born outside the U.S. whose parent or legal guardian was a California resident to qualify as electors.

• Requires elections officials to electronically transmit unvoted ballots and voting materials to military or overseas voters within 60-45 days before elections and establish online systems for voters to request ballots and track receipt.

• Authorizes military or overseas voters to register and apply for ballots by facsimile, email, or online transmission, and permits ballot return by facsimile on election day if received before polls close.

• Expands use of federal write-in absentee ballots for all offices and measures, implements electronic ballot tracking systems, and allows standing requests for ongoing ballot delivery through specified periods.