10-3-122.  Legislative poll -- continuation of state of emergency or disaster. (1) (a) When the legislature is not in session, the governor may, in writing, request the secretary of state to poll the members of the legislature to determine if a majority of the members of the house of representatives and a majority of the members of the senate are in favor of a legislative declaration affirming to extend a state of emergency or disaster under 10-3-303 or approving a proclamation of martial rule under 10-1-106.

(b) The legislature may extend a state of emergency or disaster for up to an additional 45 days by using the polling provisions of this section. The governor may make additional requests to extend a state of emergency or disaster, and the legislature may extend a state of emergency or disaster for up to an additional 45 days per request.

(2) The request must:

(a) state the conditions warranting the poll; and

(b) contain a legislative declaration to extend the governor's power.

(3) Within 3 calendar days after receiving a request, the secretary of state shall send a ballot to all legislators by using any reasonable and reliable means, including electronic delivery, that contains:

(a) the legislative declaration subject to the vote; and

(b) the date by which legislators shall return the ballot, which may not be more than 7 calendar days after the date the ballots were sent.

(4) A legislator may cast and return a vote by delivering the ballot in person, by mailing, or by sending the ballot by facsimile transmission or electronic mail to the office of the secretary of state. A legislator may not change the legislator's vote after the ballot is received by the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall tally the votes within 1 working day after the date for return of the votes. If a majority of the members in each house vote to approve an extension of a state of emergency or disaster, the state of emergency or disaster continues based on the declaration that was sent with the ballot.

(5) A ballot that is not returned by the deadline established by the secretary of state is considered a vote against the declaration.