SACRAMENTO – Last week Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed AB 1440 by Assembly member Sandré Swanson (D-Alameda) ensuring that eligible firefighters and emergency personnel are able to vote in elections held while they fight on the front lines of any emergency in California.

“California’s first responders protect our lives and defend our property from fires and other natural disasters that strike our state without notice,” said Schwarzenegger. “This bill will ensure that these brave men and women – who often work long hours and find themselves far from home – will be able to cast their vote in an election from the front lines of any emergency.”

AB 1440 authorizes emergency workers to cast their ballots outside of their home precincts, upon the Governor’s declaration of a state of emergency. Affected counties would have to issue provisional ballots.

In August, the governor issued an executive order ensuring that eligible firefighters and emergency personnel were able to vote in California’s 10th Congressional District and its 51st Assembly District special election on Sept. 1.