HB 175

Abstract

Absentee voting; annual absentee voter list; absentee ballots; return of ballots. Removes the permanent absentee voter list and provides for an annual absentee voter list by which any eligible voter who annually files an application and is enrolled on the list receives an absentee ballot for any election in which he is eligible to vote in the ensuing calendar year. The application for the annual absentee voter list requires, at a minimum, the voter to provide his printed name, date of birth, and the last four digits of his social security number. The bill makes an absentee voter's failure to have a witness sign the absentee ballot envelope a material omission and renders his ballot void. Current law allows a late absentee ballot to be counted if it is received by the Friday after the election and postmarked on or before the day of the election; the bill modifies this provision, requiring a postmark on or before the Saturday immediately preceding the day of the election.

Absentee voting; annual absentee voter list;applications for ballots. Removes the permanent absentee voterlist and provides for an annual absentee voter list by which anyeligible voter who annually files an application and is enrolledon the list receives an absentee ballot for any election in whichhe is eligible to vote in the ensuing calendar year. The applicationfor the annual absentee voter list requires, at a minimum, the voterto provide his printed name, date of birth, and the last four digitsof his social security number. The bill also requires an applicantfor an absentee ballot to provide the last four digits of his socialsecurity number on the application, regardless of whether he is completingthe application in person.