Signed by Governor Kate Brown

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires the state to pay for ballot return envelopes.

Highlights:

• Requires that electors be provided with a return identification envelope that may be returned by business reply mail (unless the Secretary of State determines an alternative method is more cost effective or efficient to return the envelope), and that the state shall bear the cost (Sec. 2).

• Defines “business reply mail” as a mailing service allowing a pre-addressed return identification envelope to be mailed by an elector without charge, with the state paying the mailing fee for a return identification envelope that is returned by U.S. mail but not for a return identification envelope that is not returned by U.S. mail (Sec. 2).

• Increases appropriations made to the Secretary of State for the biennium beginning July 1st, 2019, for the Elections Division by $1,668,783 for providing return identification envelopes that may be returned at no cost to electors (Sec. 6).

• Specifies that Section 2 and amendments in other sections apply to elections held on or after January 1st, 2020 (Sec. 7).

• Specifies that this act takes effect on the 91st day after the date the 2019 regular session of the 80th legislative assembly adjourns sine die (Sec. 8).

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that requires the state to pay for ballot return envelopes.

Highlights:

• Requires that electors be provided with a return identification envelope that may be returned by business reply mail (unless the Secretary of State determines an alternative method is more cost effective or efficient to return the envelope), and that the state shall bear the cost (Sec. 2).

• Defines “business reply mail” as a mailing service allowing a pre-addressed return identification envelope to be mailed by an elector without charge, with the state paying the mailing fee for a return identification envelope that is returned by U.S. mail but not for a return identification envelope that is not returned by U.S. mail (Sec. 2).

• Increases appropriations made to the Secretary of State for the biennium beginning July 1st, 2019, for the Elections Division by $1,668,783 for providing return identification envelopes that may be returned at no cost to electors (Sec. 6).

• Specifies that Section 2 and amendments in other sections apply to elections held on or after January 1st, 2020 (Sec. 7).

• Specifies that this act takes effect on the 91st day after the date the 2019 regular session of the 80th legislative assembly adjourns sine die (Sec. 8).