D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 7, r. 7-1517

Current through Register Vol. 71, No. 44, November 1, 2024
Rule 7-1517 - BALLOT CONTENT AND FORM
1517.1

The election official shall provide official ballots to qualified voters for the purpose of selecting an eligible candidate preference in an election. The Board shall make available to the election official a list of qualified voters. The list shall be comprised of qualified voters included in the payroll or pension roll paid within thirty (30) days, but no more than sixty (60) days, prior to the distribution official ballots.

1517.2

Ballots shall be distributed or made available to each qualified voter no fewer than thirty (30) days before the date balloting shall be completed.

1517.3

Official ballots shall include the following information:

(a) Instructions for completing and submitting ballots drafted specifically for any form or method of balloting being used;
(b) The category of qualified voter from which the person is eligible to elect a representative; and
(c) The name and Qualifications Statement of each eligible candidate. Qualifications Statements need not be printed on, but must be included with, the ballots. Names of eligible candidates shall appear on the ballot:
(1) in the same form as each eligible candidate's name appears on his or her Statement of Candidacy form. No titles, ranks, prefixes, or degrees associated with a name shall appear on the ballot; and
(2) in the order determined by the drawing of lots conducted in accordance with Section 1516 of these Rules.
1517.4

A qualified voter may contact the election official to request the issuance of a replacement ballot. The election official shall maintain a record identifying the voter to ensure that the issuance of a replacement ballot does not result in unauthorized or duplicate balloting. When a qualified voter requests a replacement ballot within fewer than five (5) days before the date balloting is scheduled to be completed, the qualified voter shall only have the option of submitting an electronic or telephone ballot.

1517.5

An individual who did not receive a ballot due to his /her name not being included on the list of qualified voters at the time such list was provided to the election official, may contact the election official to request the issuance of a provisional ballot. The election official shall maintain a record identifying the voter to ensure that the issuance of a provisional ballot does not result in unauthorized or duplicate balloting. When an individual requests a provisional ballot within fewer than five (5) days before the date balloting is scheduled to be completed, the individual shall only have the option of submitting an electronic or telephone ballot.

(a) The Executive Director shall have an individual verified as a qualified voter in the applicable qualified voter category prior to the completion of ballot counting. The election official shall not count as valid any provisional ballot submitted by an individual who has not been verified to be a qualified voter in the applicable qualified voter category.
1517.6

The election official shall not issue more than three (3) ballots, one (1) original and two (2) replacements, to any qualified voter during an election cycle. At the time the election official issues a replacement ballot, the election official shall inform the qualified voter of the qualified voter's limited remaining replacement ballots.

1517.7

Completed ballots shall be received by the election official on or before the date and time designated on the ballot.

1517.8

The Executive Director shall authorize the election official to use a balloting system that consists of paper ballots, telephonic ballots, electronic ballots, or any combination thereof, provided that the election official shall conduct the balloting in a manner that is consistent with the principles and objectives enumerated in these Rules. The election official shall take every reasonable precaution to safeguard the authenticity and secrecy of the balloting system and process, as well as individual ballots.

1517.9

The election official shall distribute or make available an official ballot for each qualified voter category that shall be separate and distinct from the ballot for any other qualified voter category in an election cycle. Each ballot shall contain a unique control number and be readily identifiable from the ballot for any other qualified voter category. The election official shall maintain a record identifying the unique control number for each ballot.

1517.10

A ballot shall have a selection method immediately next to the name of each eligible candidate included on the ballot where a qualified voter must indicate his or her choice with a single mark.

1517.11

If applicable, paper ballots shall be returned to the election official in pre-addressed, postage paid return envelopes, preprinted with the unique control number included on the ballot.

D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 7, r. 7-1517

Final Rulemaking published at 65 DCR 2951 (3/23/2018)