SB 455

Abstract

Absentee voting; deadline for returning absentee ballot. Provides that any absentee ballot that is returned to the general registrar after the closing of the polls on election day but before noon on the third day after the election and postmarked on or before the date of the election shall be counted if the voter is found entitled to vote. This bill contains technical amendments and is identical to HB 238.

Absentee voting; counting military and overseas absentee ballots received after close of polls on election day. Provides that absentee ballots cast by military and overseas absentee voters that are (i) received after the close of the polls on any election day but before 5:00 p.m. on the fourth business day before the State Board of Elections meets to ascertain the results of the election and (ii) postmarked on or before the date of such election are to be counted if the voter is found entitled to vote. The bill provides that a postmark includes any other official indicia of confirmation of mailing by the United States Postal Service or other postal or delivery service. Under current law, such ballots cast by military and overseas absentee voters would be counted in this manner regardless of the date of any postmark, but only if the absentee ballot had been requested on or before, but not sent by, the deadline for making absentee ballots available.

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.