The proposed changes are made to the Polling Place Procedures Manual, DS-DE 11, which is incorporated by reference. This manual is used at the polls as a procedural reference guide for poll workers during the early voting period and Election Day. ...

DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Division of Elections

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
1S-2.034: Polling Place Procedures Manual
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The proposed changes are made to the Polling Place Procedures Manual, DS-DE 11, which is incorporated by reference. This manual is used at the polls as a procedural reference guide for poll workers during the early voting period and Election Day. Some of the changes are necessary to effectuate the changes to the Florida Election Code with the enactment of Chapter 2007-30, Laws of Florida, that become effective July 2008, and that relate to the requirement for optical scan voting systems and voting by marksense ballot. The remaining changes are nonsubstantive and consist of rewording of existing provisions.
SUMMARY: The proposed revisions provide guidance on the optional use of touch screen voting systems by persons with disabilities, clarify procedures following the close of polls including removing ballot accounting steps that are no longer applicable with the advent of voting by marksense ballots in all counties. Additional revisions include updating provisions relating to assistance to persons with special needs. In addition, the manual removes provisions that are no longer applicable with the requirement for voting by marksense ballot.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: 20.10(3), 97.012(1), 102.014(5) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 102.014(5) FS.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE,TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW(IF NOT REQUESTED, THIS HEARING WILL NOT BE HELD):
DATE AND TIME: Monday, July 7, 2008, 2:00 p.m.
PLACE: Room 307, R. A. Gray Building, Florida Department of State, 500 S. Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 7 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Nolah Shotwell, Office of the General Counsel, [phone]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Maria Matthews or Sarah Jane Bradshaw, Florida Department of State, 500 S. Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32301, phone: [phone] or [phone], respectively

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

1S-2.034 Polling Place Procedures Manual.

The Department of State, Division of Elections, is required to establish a polling place procedures manual to guide election officials and poll workers in the proper implementation of election procedures and laws. Form DS-DE 11 (eff. 07/08 01/08, entitled “Polling Place Procedures Manual,” is hereby incorporated by reference and available from the Division of Elections, R. A. Gray Building, Room 316, 500 South Bronough Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0250, by contact at [phone], or by download from the Division of Elections’ rules webpage at: http://election.dos.state.fl.us/index.html.

Specific Authority 20.10(3), 102.014(5) FS. Law Implemented 102.014(5) FS. History–New 7-4-02, Amended 1-25-04, 3-16-06, 1-1-08,_________.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Sarah Jane Bradshaw, Assistant Director for Division of Elections and Maria Matthews, Assistant General Counsel
NAME OF SUPERVISOR OR PERSON WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Donald Palmer, Division of Elections
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: June 4, 2008
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: April 25, 2008