Colleagues:
I plan to introduce legislation based on the Democratic omnibus amendment proposed to HB1300, to modernize and make needed changes to our election code. While this is only one of the Democratic election code proposals being offered by our caucus this term, I feel that this legislation will accomplish the primary requests made by our counties.
Provisions in the bill include, but are not limited to: - Provides for county boards of elections and ballot return sites. This section outlines the requirements for ballot return sites and secure ballot return receptacles (I.e. drop boxes) where completed ballots can be returned.
- Requirements for Risk-Limiting audits to be conducted by the department in conjunction with the county boards of elections to be conducted after each primary, general, municipal and special election completed by the third Friday following the election.
- That an elector is not prohibited from returning a completed ballot of an elector for whom they are appointed as POA with valid proof for Absentee and Mail-In ballots. This is in addition to language allowing a voter to return a completed ballot of an elector in your household.
- Language that provides for pre-canvassing 21 days prior to election day.
- Language providing for curing of absentee and mail-in ballots which the declaration of the elector is incomplete or are unsigned or undated. Further provides for absentee ballots or mail-in ballots for which it is discovered during the pre-canvassing or canvassing process that the official election ballot envelope was not included or unidentifiable marks are placed on the envelope, then the county board shall place and seal the ballot into an empty official election ballot envelope and place the secured envelope with the other removed official election ballot envelopes to be tabulated.
- Makes the Permanent mail-in voting list actually permanent by requiring that A mail-in ballot application mailed to an elector under this section, which is completed and timely returned by the elector, shall serve as an application for any and all primary, general or special elections to be held in the remainder of that calendar year and for all elections to be held in subsequent years until an elector requests to be removed.
- Provides for early voting beginning in 2022
- Establishes a Voter Bill of Rights
- Enables smaller counties to share resources
- Provides state funding for updated technology
Please join me in sponsoring this proposal, that we might further the conversation on these vital election issues. |
