HB 19-1278

Abstract

Uniform Election Code of 1992 - modifications - appropriation. The act makes changes to the "Uniform Election Code of 1992" (code), including changes to procedures for voter registration, including registration on Indian reservations; ballot access requirements, including changes to the number of signatures required on candidate petitions and requiring licensing and training for petition entities; political party organization filing requirements; procedures for in-person voting, including allowing a person who does not reside in a county but wishes to vote at a polling location to cast a ballot that contains statewide federal and state offices and questions; requirements for the content of an election plan; procedures for curing ballots; and requirements for recall petitions, including allowing the incumbent to file a statement to included on the petition and changes to the procedures for curing petitions. The formulas and hours for drop boxes and voter service and polling centers are revised, and counties are required to locate some drop boxes and voter service and polling centers on higher education campuses and Indian reservations. Seventeen year olds who are preregistered and who will be eighteen on the date of the next general election are allowed to participate in primary elections and caucuses. A person may seek a court order to keep polling locations open past the regular closing time on election day when voting at or access to a polling location has been substantially impaired. The secretary of state is required to complete updates to the statewide voter registration database to reduce wait times at polling locations. The act makes additional technical changes and corrections to the code. The act creates the local elections assistance cash fund to reimburse counties for the one-time purchase of voting equipment necessary to fulfill the requirements of the act. For the implementation of the act, $50,945 is appropriated to the department of state for use by the elections division, $255,298 is appropriated to the department of state for use by the information technology division, and $2,790 is appropriated to the department of personnel for use by the division of central services. In addition, $2,0960,000 is appropriated to the local elections assistance cash fund. (Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.) Read More