HB 2209

Abstract

Absentee voting; signature match; provisionalballot status. Requires the signature on the voter affirmationstatement on an absentee ballot return envelope to match the signatureof the voter on the application for the absentee ballot or the signatureof the voter on file in his registration record. The general registrarsare required to review the affirmation statement upon receipt ofan absentee ballot returned by mail and to compare the signatures.An absentee ballot that is missing the signature or has a signaturethat does not match shall be handled as a provisional ballot. Thevoter is entitled to submit a cure affidavit, affirming that the ballotwas submitted by him, is his ballot, and that he is registered andqualified to vote in such election, and a copy of a form of identificationcontaining his name, signature, and photograph, until noon on thethird day following the election. If, at the electoral board meetingfor determining the validity of provisional votes, a majority ofthe board finds that the signature on the cure affidavit matchesthe signature on the absentee ballot, the vote shall be counted.Notice to the voter is required by email, text message, or telephone call, and if the absentee ballot is received on or before the seventhday preceding the election, by first-class mail as well.