HB 203

Abstract

Absentee voting; counting military and overseasabsentee ballots received after close of polls on election day. Provides that absentee ballots cast by military and overseas absenteevoters that are (i) received after the close of the polls on anyelection day but before 5:00 p.m. on the second business day beforethe State Board of Elections meets to ascertain the results of the election and (ii) postmarked on or before the date of such electionare to be counted if the voter is found entitled to vote. The billprovides that a postmark includes any other official indicia of confirmationof mailing by the United States Postal Service or other postal ordelivery service. Under current law, such ballots cast by militaryand overseas absentee voters would be counted in this manner regardlessof the date of any postmark, but only if the absentee ballot hadbeen requested on or before, but not sent by, the deadline for makingabsentee ballots available.