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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS S oun 29 Nov 2016 |
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) DATE: Be By

FIRST REGULAR SESSION ) i anes

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

“Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.
House Bill No, 4939
EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill was originally introduced as House Bill No. 2722 during the 15" Congress
where it was approved by the Committee on Suffrage and Electoral Reforms and substituted
by House Bill No, 4307. It was subsequently approved by the House of Representatives on
Second Reading but the measure was re-considered and lack of time prevented it from
being approved on third reading

Many states in America now allow early voting, in which ballots are cast prior to
Election Day. The primary argument in favor of early Voting is that it increases turnout by
making it easier to vote. A research shows that in the 24 states in America with no excuse
absentee voting, tumout increased in 2004 in the aggregate by 6.7 percent, whereas it
increased 6.2 percent for the other states. In the 11 states that had early voting in both 2002
and 2004, turnout increased by an aggregate average of 7.2 percentage points as opposed
to 6.2in states without early voting.

In addition to the statistical evidence, early voting is advocated by voting rights
groups whose primary concem is making voting as convenient as possible for voters,
because it gives them significantly more time to complete their ballots or go to the polls.

Some election administrators also prefer early voting because it allows them more time
to process ballots, relieves some of the strain on voting systems that occurs on Election Day,
cuts down long lines, and reduces the number of poll workers needed

This bill seeks to provide for early voting in the Philippines for the national and local
elections. In view of the foregoing, the approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

OW

MAXIMO B. RODRIGUEZ, JR.

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SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No.4 39

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR EARLY VOTING FOR THE NATIONAL AND LOCAL ELECTIONS

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. Declaration of Policy — It is hereby declared policy of the State to make voting
convenient to people by giving them option to vote earlier than the date set for election

Sec 2. Early Voting — For National and Local Elections, there shall be early voting where a
voter may choose to appear at the polling place within fourteen (14) working days before the
date set for the election and vote in a booth as one would on the date of the election or at
the Office of the City or Municipal Election Registrar where one is registered.

Sec 3. Appropriations - The amounts necessary to fund early voting for the national
elections shall be included in the General Appropriations Act for the corresponding fiscal
year.

Sec 4. Applicability of Other Laws ~ The provisions of the Omnibus Election Code, Republic
Act No, 7166 and other election laws not inconsistent herewith shall be applied to early
voting

Sec 5. Rules and Regulations - The Commission on Elections shall issue rules and
regulations to implement this Act which shall be published in at least two (2) national
newspapers of general circulation

Sec 6. Separability Clause — Should any provision of this Act or any part thereof be declared
invalid, the other provisions, so far as they are separable from the invalid ones, shall remain
in full force and effect.

Sec 7. Repealing Clause — All laws, orders, issuances, rules and regulations or parts thereof
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec 8. Effectivity - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete publication in
at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation

Approved,