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

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House Bill No__ 1633

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill was originally introduced as House Bill No. 2722 by the undersigned
Rufus B. Rodriguez 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, turnout 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 6.2 in states without early voting.

In addition to the statistical evidence, early voting is advocated by voting rights
groups whose primary concern 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.

MAXIMO RIGUEZ, JR.


‘SIXTEENTH CONGRESS )
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
FIRST REGULAR SESSION )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Introduced by Representative Rufus B. Rodriguez and
Representative Maximo B. Rodriguez, Jr.

House BillNo__ 1633

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.