California Bill Would Deem Voters Eligible After Failing To List Birthplace
SACRAMENTO (CBS/AP) -- Voting applicants who fail to list their birthplace on the registration form would still be deemed eligible to vote under a bill working its way through the Legislature.
Democratic Assemblyman Das Williams of Santa Barbara says no harm would be done under his AB131 because applicants also must swear under penalty of perjury that they are United States citizens.
Currently, county election officials must reject the application or spend time and money contacting the applicants to fill in the blank once they discover the required information is missing.
Republican Assemblyman Tim Donnelly of Twin Peaks says the box should be removed from the form if it is considered unimportant.
The Assembly approved AB131 Thursday on a 47-21 vote, over Republicans' objections.
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