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Rhode Island House Bill H5955

Rhode Island 2023 Regular Session

Rhode Island House Bill H5955 Compare Versions

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99 S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
1010 IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
1111 JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
1212 ____________
1313
1414 A N A C T
1515 RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- MAIL BALLOTS
1616 Introduced By: Representatives Dawson, McEntee, O'Brien, and Craven
1717 Date Introduced: March 01, 2023
1818 Referred To: House State Government & Elections
1919 (Board of Elections)
2020
2121 It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
22-SECTION 1. Sections 17-20-2.1, 17-20-3, 17-20-8, 17-20-10, 17-20-13 and 17-20-21 of 1
23-the General Laws in Chapter 17-20 entitled "Mail Ballots" are hereby amended to read as follows: 2
22+SECTION 1. Sections 17-20-2.1 and 17-20-10 of the General Laws in Chapter 17-20 1
23+entitled "Mail Ballots" are hereby amended to read as follows: 2
2424 17-20-2.1. Requirements for validity of mail ballot and mail ballot applications. 3
2525 (a) Any legally qualified elector of this state whose name appears upon the official voting 4
2626 list of the city, town, or district of the city or town where the elector is qualified, and who desires 5
2727 to avail himself or herself of the right granted to him or her by the Constitution and declared in this 6
2828 chapter, may obtain from the local board in the city or town a form prepared by the secretary of 7
2929 state as prescribed in this section, setting forth the elector’s application for a mail ballot or may 8
3030 apply online in accordance with § 17-20-2.3. 9
3131 (b) Whenever any person is unable to sign his or her name because of physical incapacity 10
32-or otherwise, that person shall make his or her mark “X” blindness, disability, or inability to read 11
33-or write, the voter or their assistant shall mark a box to indicate the voter cannot sign due to 12
34-blindness, disability, or inability to read or write and include the full name, residence address, 13
35-signature, and optionally the telephone number and e-mail address, of the person who provided 14
36-assistance to the voter on a form provided by the secretary of state. The representation relating to 15
37-the voter's inability to sign shall be made under the pains and penalties of perjury. 16
38-(c) To receive a ballot in the mail, an elector must submit an application in person or by 17
39-mail, so that it is received by the local board, or received electronically through the portal 18
40-established by § 17-20-2.3, not later than four o’clock (4:00) p.m. on the twenty-first (21st) day 19
32+or otherwise, that person shall make his or her mark “X” voter. 11
33+(c) To receive a ballot in the mail, an elector must submit an application in person or by 12
34+mail, so that it is received by the local board, or received electronically through the portal 13
35+established by § 17-20-2.3, not later than four o’clock (4:00) p.m. on the twenty-first (21st) day 14
36+before the day of any election referred to in § 17-20-1. In those cases where an application to receive 15
37+a mail ballot is received not later than three (3) days after the twenty-first day before the date of an 16
38+election and which is delivered by the postal service to the local board, the application shall be 17
39+considered received on or prior to the last day to apply for a mail ballot. 18
40+(d) In addition to those requirements set forth elsewhere in this chapter, a mail ballot, in 19
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44-before the day of any election referred to in § 17-20-1. In those cases where an application to receive 1
45-a mail ballot is received not later than three (3) days after the twenty-first (21
46-st
47-) day before the date 2
48-of an election and which is delivered by the postal service to the local board, the application shall 3
49-be considered received on or prior to the last day to apply for a mail ballot. 4
50-(d) In addition to those requirements set forth elsewhere in this chapter, a mail ballot, in 5
51-order to be valid, must have been cast in conformance with the following procedures: 6
52-(1) All mail ballots issued pursuant to § 17-20-2(1) shall be mailed to the elector at the 7
53-Rhode Island address provided by the elector on the application. In order to be valid, the voter must 8
54-affix his or her signature on all certifying envelopes containing a voted ballot. 9
55-(2) All applications for mail ballots pursuant to § 17-20-2(2) must state under oath the 10
56-name and location of the hospital, convalescent home, nursing home, or similar institution where 11
57-the elector is confined. All mail ballots issued pursuant to § 17-20-2(2) shall be delivered to the 12
58-elector at the hospital, convalescent home, nursing home, or similar institution where the elector is 13
59-confined. 14
60-(3) All mail ballots issued pursuant to § 17-20-2(3) shall be mailed to the address provided 15
61-by the elector on the application or sent to the board of canvassers in the city or town where the 16
62-elector maintains his or her voting residence. In order to be valid, the voter must affix his or her 17
63-signature on the certifying envelope containing voted ballots. Any voter qualified to receive a mail 18
64-ballot pursuant to § 17-20-2(3) shall also be entitled to cast a ballot pursuant to the provisions of 19
65-United States Public Law 99-410, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act 20
66-(UOCAVA). 21
67-(4) All mail ballots issued pursuant to § 17-20-2(4) may be mailed to the elector at the 22
68-address within the United States provided by the elector on the application or sent to the board of 23
69-canvassers in the city or town where the elector maintains his or her voting residence. In order to 24
70-be valid, the voter must affix his or her signature on all certifying envelopes containing a voted 25
71-ballot. In order to be valid, all ballots sent to the elector at the board of canvassers, must be voted 26
72-in conformance with the provisions of § 17-20-14.2. 27
73-(e) Any person knowingly and willfully making a false application or certification, or 28
74-knowingly and willfully aiding and abetting in the making of a false application or certification, 29
75-shall be guilty of a felony and shall be subject to the penalties provided for in § 17-26-1. 30
76-(f) In no way shall a mail ballot application be disqualified if the voter’s circumstances 31
77-change between the time of making the application and voting his or her mail ballot as long as the 32
78-voter remains qualified to receive a mail ballot under the provisions of § 17-20-2. The local board 33
79-of canvassers shall provide the state board of elections with written notification of any change in 34
43+LC002089 - Page 2 of 5
44+order to be valid, must have been cast in conformance with the following procedures: 1
45+(1) All mail ballots issued pursuant to § 17-20-2(1) shall be mailed to the elector at the 2
46+Rhode Island address provided by the elector on the application. In order to be valid, the voter must 3
47+affix his or her signature on all certifying envelopes containing a voted ballot. 4
48+(2) All applications for mail ballots pursuant to § 17-20-2(2) must state under oath the 5
49+name and location of the hospital, convalescent home, nursing home, or similar institution where 6
50+the elector is confined. All mail ballots issued pursuant to § 17-20-2(2) shall be delivered to the 7
51+elector at the hospital, convalescent home, nursing home, or similar institution where the elector is 8
52+confined. 9
53+(3) All mail ballots issued pursuant to § 17-20-2(3) shall be mailed to the address provided 10
54+by the elector on the application or sent to the board of canvassers in the city or town where the 11
55+elector maintains his or her voting residence. In order to be valid, the voter must affix his or her 12
56+signature on the certifying envelope containing voted ballots. Any voter qualified to receive a mail 13
57+ballot pursuant to § 17-20-2(3) shall also be entitled to cast a ballot pursuant to the provisions of 14
58+United States Public Law 99-410, the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act 15
59+(UOCAVA). 16
60+(4) All mail ballots issued pursuant to § 17-20-2(4) may be mailed to the elector at the 17
61+address within the United States provided by the elector on the application or sent to the board of 18
62+canvassers in the city or town where the elector maintains his or her voting residence. In order to 19
63+be valid, the voter must affix his or her signature on all certifying envelopes containing a voted 20
64+ballot. In order to be valid, all ballots sent to the elector at the board of canvassers, must be voted 21
65+in conformance with the provisions of § 17-20-14.2. 22
66+(e) Any person knowingly and willfully making a false application or certification, or 23
67+knowingly and willfully aiding and abetting in the making of a false application or certification, 24
68+shall be guilty of a felony and shall be subject to the penalties provided for in § 17-26-1. 25
69+(f) In no way shall a mail ballot application be disqualified if the voter’s circumstances 26
70+change between the time of making the application and voting his or her mail ballot as long as the 27
71+voter remains qualified to receive a mail ballot under the provisions of § 17-20-2. The local board 28
72+of canvassers shall provide the state board of elections with written notification of any change in 29
73+circumstances to a mail ballot voter. 30
74+17-20-10. Certification of applications — Issuance of ballots — Marking of lists — 31
75+Mailing address. 32
76+(a) Upon receipt of the application, the local board shall immediately examine it and 33
77+determine whether it complies with each of the requirements set forth by this chapter and compare 34
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83-circumstances to a mail ballot voter. 1
84-17-20-3. Definitions. 2
85-(a) Wherever used in this chapter, every word importing only the masculine gender is 3
86-construed to extend to, and include, females as well as males. 4
87-(b) Whenever used in this chapter, “bipartisan pairs of supervisors” for primaries means a 5
88-supervisor representing the endorsed candidates and a supervisor representing a majority of 6
89-unendorsed candidates, and for nonpartisan elections and primaries means non-partisan pairs of 7
90-supervisors. 8
91-(c) Wherever used in this chapter, “employed outside of the United States” includes any 9
92-person who is: 10
93-(1) Employed by any agency, department, or division of the United States government and 11
94-who, by reason of that employment, resides outside of the continental United States; 12
95-(2) Employed outside the territorial limits of the United States; or 13
96-(3) A spouse or dependent residing with persons so employed. 14
97-(d) Wherever used in this chapter, “services intimately connected with military operations” 15
98-includes members of religious groups or welfare agencies assisting members of the armed forces 16
99-who are officially attached to and serving with the armed forces and their spouses and dependents, 17
100-and the spouses and dependents of members of the armed forces and of the merchant marine; 18
101-provided, that the spouses and dependents are residing outside of the state with the members of the 19
102-armed forces, merchant marine, or members of the religious or welfare agencies. 20
103-(e) Whenever a signature is required by a voter in this chapter, “signature” also means the 21
104-voter’s mark “X” if the person is unable to sign his or her name because of physical incapacity or 22
105-otherwise blindness, disability, or inability to read or write, or by affixing the voter's signature by 23
106-a person providing assistance to the voter in accordance with the requirements of this chapter. 24
107-(f) Whenever used in this chapter, “bipartisan” means not of the same recognized political 25
108-party. 26
109-(g) Whenever used in this chapter, “emergency” voting pursuant to § 17-20-2.2(g) shall be 27
110-construed to mean “early” voting. 28
111-17-20-8. Application for ballot. 29
112-(a) Whenever any person is unable to sign his or her name because of physical incapacity 30
113-or otherwise, that person shall make his or her mark “X” blindness, disability, or inability to read 31
114-or write, the voter or their assistant shall mark a box to indicate the voter cannot sign due to 32
115-blindness, disability, or inability to read or write and include the full name, residence address, 33
116-signature, and optionally the telephone number and e-mail address, of the person who provided 34
80+LC002089 - Page 3 of 5
81+the signature on the ballot application with the signature contained on the original registration card 1
82+or on the central voter registration system, except as may be otherwise provided by law, to satisfy 2
83+itself that the applicant is a qualified voter. Upon determining that it does meet each requirement 3
84+of this chapter and that the signature appears to be the same, the local board shall mark the 4
85+application “accepted” and record in the space provided on the ballot application the senatorial, 5
86+representative, and voting district in which the applicant should vote. 6
87+(b) The local board shall also record the city or town code and district information in the 7
88+mailing label section of the mail ballot application. The local board shall also print or type the name 8
89+of the elector and the complete mailing address in that section. If the local board does not accept 9
90+the application, the local board shall return the application to the elector, together with a form 10
91+prescribed by the secretary of state, specifying the reason or reasons for the return of the application. 11
92+(c) Not later than 4:00 p.m. on the eighteenth (18th) day before the day of any election 12
93+referred to in this chapter or within seven (7) days of receipt by the local board, whichever occurs 13
94+first, the local board shall certify the applications to the secretary of state through the central voter 14
95+registration system as this procedure is prescribed by the secretary of state. Upon the certification 15
96+of a mail ballot application to the secretary of state, the local board shall enter on the voting list the 16
97+fact that a mail ballot application for the voter has been certified and, upon order by the state board, 17
98+shall cause the delivery of the certified mail ballot applications together with the signed certified 18
99+listing thereof in sealed packages to the state board of elections. 19
100+(d)(1) Upon the ballots becoming available, the secretary of state shall immediately issue 20
101+and mail, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, a mail ballot to each eligible voter who has been 21
102+certified. With respect to voters who have applied for these mail ballots under the provisions of § 22
103+17-20-2(1), the secretary of state shall include with the mail ballots a stamped, return envelope 23
104+addressed to the board of elections. 24
105+(2) The secretary of state shall include on the mail ballot envelope a numerical or 25
106+alphabetical code designating the city or town where the voter resides. The secretary of state shall 26
107+immediately thereafter indicate on the voter’s record that the secretary of state has sent mail ballots; 27
108+provided that this mark shall serve solely to indicate that a mail ballot has been issued and shall not 28
109+be construed as voting in the election. 29
110+(e) Prior to each election, the secretary of state shall also furnish to the chairperson of the 30
111+state committee of each political party a list of the names and residence addresses of all persons to 31
112+whom mail ballots have been issued. The secretary of state shall also furnish to a candidate for 32
113+political office, upon request, a list of the names and residence addresses of all persons to whom 33
114+mail ballots have been issued within his or her district. 34
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120-assistance to the voter on a form provided by the secretary of state. The representation relating to 1
121-the voter's inability to sign shall be made under the pains and penalties of perjury. 2
122-(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter as to time and manner thereof, it 3
123-shall be the duty of the applicant to cause the mail ballot application or the emergency mail ballot 4
124-application, as the case may be, to be processed by the local board so that the applicant may receive 5
125-the ballot, cast it, and cause delivery thereof to be made to the state board not later than eight 6
126-o’clock (8:00) p.m. on the date of election. 7
127-(c) The local board shall maintain a separate list of names and addresses of all applicants 8
128-and a copy of the list shall be made available for inspection to any person upon request. 9
129-(d) Any person knowingly and willfully making a false application or certification or 10
130-knowingly and willfully aiding and abetting in the making of a false application or certification 11
131-shall be guilty of a felony. 12
132-(e) Voters shall be able to apply for a mail ballot electronically through the voter 13
133-registration portal established by § 17-20-2.3. 14
134-17-20-10. Certification of applications — Issuance of ballots — Marking of lists — 15
135-Mailing address. 16
136-(a) Upon receipt of the application, the local board shall immediately examine it and 17
137-determine whether it complies with each of the requirements set forth by this chapter and compare 18
138-the signature on the ballot application with the signature contained on the original registration card 19
139-or on the central voter registration system, except as may be otherwise provided by law, to satisfy 20
140-itself that the applicant is a qualified voter. Upon determining that it does meet each requirement 21
141-of this chapter and that the signature appears to be the same, the local board shall mark the 22
142-application “accepted” and record in the space provided on the ballot application the senatorial, 23
143-representative, and voting district in which the applicant should vote. 24
144-(b) The local board shall also record the city or town code and district information in the 25
145-mailing label section of the mail ballot application. The local board shall also print or type the name 26
146-of the elector and the complete mailing address in that section. If the local board does not accept 27
147-the application, the local board shall return the application to the elector, together with a form 28
148-prescribed by the secretary of state, specifying the reason or reasons for the return of the application. 29
149-(c) Not later than 4:00 p.m. on the eighteenth (18th) day before the day of any election 30
150-referred to in this chapter or within seven (7) days of receipt by the local board, whichever occurs 31
151-first, the local board shall certify the applications to the secretary of state through the central voter 32
152-registration system as this procedure is prescribed by the secretary of state. Upon the certification 33
153-of a mail ballot application to the secretary of state, the local board shall enter on the voting list the 34
154-
155-
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157-fact that a mail ballot application for the voter has been certified and, upon order by the state board, 1
158-shall cause the delivery of the certified mail ballot applications together with the signed certified 2
159-listing thereof in sealed packages to the state board of elections. 3
160-(d)(1) Upon the ballots becoming available, the secretary of state shall immediately issue 4
161-and mail, by first-class mail, postage prepaid, a mail ballot to each eligible voter who has been 5
162-certified. With respect to voters who have applied for these mail ballots under the provisions of § 6
163-17-20-2(1), the secretary of state shall include with the mail ballots a stamped, return envelope 7
164-addressed to the board of elections. 8
165-(2) The secretary of state shall include on the mail ballot envelope a numerical or 9
166-alphabetical code designating the city or town where the voter resides. The secretary of state shall 10
167-immediately thereafter indicate on the voter’s record that the secretary of state has sent mail ballots; 11
168-provided that this mark shall serve solely to indicate that a mail ballot has been issued and shall not 12
169-be construed as voting in the election. 13
170-(e) Prior to each election, the secretary of state shall also furnish to the chairperson of the 14
171-state committee of each political party a list of the names and residence addresses of all persons to 15
172-whom mail ballots have been issued. The secretary of state shall also furnish to a candidate for 16
173-political office, upon request, a list of the names and residence addresses of all persons to whom 17
174-mail ballots have been issued within his or her district. 18
175-(f) If a ballot is returned to the secretary of state by the postal service as undeliverable, the 19
176-secretary of state shall consult with the appropriate local board to determine the accuracy of the 20
177-mailing address, and the secretary of state shall be required to remail the ballot to the voter using 21
178-the corrected address provided by the local board. If the local board is unable to provide a different 22
179-address than that to which the ballot was originally mailed, the ballot shall be reissued by the 23
180-secretary of state to the board of canvassers in the city or town where the voter resides utilizing the 24
181-numerical or alphabetical code established in subsection (d) of this section. The board shall then 25
182-attempt to notify the voter at his or her place of residence that the ballot has been returned as 26
183-undeliverable. The ballot must be voted in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. 27
184-(g) The acceptance of a mail ballot application by the board of canvassers and the issuance 28
185-of a mail ballot by the secretary of state shall not create any presumption as to the accuracy of the 29
186-information provided by the applicant or as to the applicant’s compliance with the provisions of 30
187-this chapter. Any inaccuracy in the provided information or irregularity in the application may be 31
188-raised as a challenge to the ballot before the board of elections at the time of certification. If the 32
189-challenge raised at that time is meritorious, the ballot shall be voided. 33
190-(h) Within two (2) business days of receipt by the local board, the board shall certify 34
191-
192-
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194-emergency mail ballot applications and, when directed by the state board or its staff, shall cause 1
195-the delivery of the emergency mail ballot applications, and certification sheet in sealed packages to 2
196-the state board of elections. 3
197-17-20-13. Form of application. 4
198-The application to be subscribed by the voters before receiving a mail ballot shall, in 5
199-addition to those directions that may be printed, stamped, or written on it by authority of the 6
200-secretary of state, be in substantially the following form: 7
201-STATE OF RHODE ISLAND 8
202-APPLICATION OF VOTER FOR BALLOT FOR ELECTION 9
203-ON_________________________________________ 10
204-(COMPLETE HIGHLIGHTED SECTIONS) 11
205-NOTE — THIS APPLICATION MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE BOARD OF 12
206-CANVASSERS OF YOUR CITY OR TOWN NOT LATER THAN 4:00 P.M ON 13
207-_______________ 14
208-BOX A (PRINT OR TYPE) 15
209- NAME_________________________________________ 16
210- VOTING ADDRESS_________________________________________ 17
211- CITY/TOWN_______________________________________ STATE RI 18
212- ZIP CODE_________________________________________ 19
213- DATE OF BIRTH_______________________ 20
214- PHONE #_________________________________________ 21
215-BOX B (PRINT OR TYPE) 22
216- NAME OF INSTITUTION (IF APPLICABLE) _____________________________ 23
217- ADDRESS_________________________________________ 24
218- ADDRESS_________________________________________ 25
219- CITY/TOWN_______________________________________ STATE___________ 26
220- ZIP CODE_________________________________________ 27
221- FACSIMILE NUMBER (if 28
222-applicable)_________________________________________ 29
223-I CERTIFY THAT I AM ELIGIBLE FOR A MAIL BALLOT ON THE FOLLOWING 30
224-BASIS: (CHECK ONE ONLY) 31
225-( ) 1. I am incapacitated to such an extent that it would be an undue hardship to vote at the 32
226-polls because of illness, mental or physical disability, blindness, or a serious impairment of 33
227-mobility. If the ballot is not being mailed to your voter registration address (BOX A above) please 34
228-
229-
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231-provide the Rhode Island address where you are temporarily residing in BOX B above. 1
232-( ) 2. I am confined in a hospital, convalescent home, nursing home, rest home, or similar 2
233-institution within the State of Rhode Island. Provide the name and address of the facility where you 3
234-are residing in BOX B above. 4
235-( ) 3. I am employed or in service intimately connected with military operations or because 5
236-I am a spouse or dependent of such person, or I am a United States citizen and will be outside the 6
237-United States. Complete BOX B above or the ballot will be mailed to the local board of canvassers. 7
238-( ) 4. I choose to vote by mail. If the ballot is not being mailed to your voter registration 8
239-address (BOX A above) please provide the address within the United States where you are 9
240-temporarily residing in BOX B above. If you request that your ballot be sent to your local board of 10
241-canvassers please indicate so in BOX B above. 11
242-BOX D OATH OF VOTER 12
243-I declare that all of the information I have provided on this form is true and correct to the 13
244-best of my knowledge. I further state that I am not a qualified voter of any other city or town or 14
245-state and have not claimed and do not intend to claim the right to vote in any other city or town or 15
246-state. If unable to sign name because of physical incapacity or otherwise, applicant shall make his 16
247-or her mark “X” blindness, disability, or inability to read or write, the applicant shall mark the box 17
248-to indicate the voter cannot sign due to blindness, disability, or inability to read or write, and include 18
249-the full name, residence address, signature, and optionally the telephone number and e-mail address 19
250-of the person who provided assistance to the voter. 20
251-SIGNATURE IN FULL_________________________________________ 21
252-Please note: A Power of Attorney signature is not valid in Rhode Island. 22
253-17-20-21. Certifying envelopes. 23
254-The secretary of state shall cause to be prepared and printed and shall furnish with each 24
255-mail ballot an envelope for sealing up and certifying the ballot when returned. The envelope shall 25
256-be printed in substantially the following form: 26
257-“After marking ballot or ballots, fold and enclose in this envelope and seal it. Certify to 27
258-statement hereon. Enclose in envelope addressed to board of elections, which must receive the 28
259-envelope not later than the time prescribed by § 17-18-11 for the closing of polling places on the 29
260-day of election.” 30
261-Date of Election:______________ City/Town of:__________________ 31
262-Certificate of Voter 32
263- Print Name of Voter 33
264-I swear or affirm, under penalty of perjury, that I am: 34
265-
266-
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268-• I am a United States citizen; 1
269-• I am a resident and qualified voter of the State of Rhode Island; 2
270-• I am eligible to cast a mail ballot under the provisions of § 17-20-2; and 3
271-• I have not and will not vote elsewhere in this election. 4
272-I hereby attest under the pains and penalty of perjury, that the enclosed voted ballot was 5
273-cast by me, and that the signature or mark on this certifying envelope was made by me. 6
274-Voter must sign full name here: _______________________________________ 7
275-(If unable to sign name because of physical incapacity or otherwise, voter shall make his 8
276-or her mark “(X)” blindness, disability, or inability to read or write, the voter or their assistant shall 9
277-mark a box to indicate the voter cannot sign due to blindness, disability, or inability to read or write 10
278-and include the full name, residence address, signature, and optionally the telephone number and 11
279-e-mail address, of the person who provided assistance to the voter on the certifying envelope 12
280-provided by the secretary of state. The representation relating to the voter's inability to sign shall 13
281-be made under the pains and penalties of perjury). 14
282-SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 15
117+LC002089 - Page 4 of 5
118+(f) If a ballot is returned to the secretary of state by the postal service as undeliverable, the 1
119+secretary of state shall consult with the appropriate local board to determine the accuracy of the 2
120+mailing address, and the secretary of state shall be required to remail the ballot to the voter using 3
121+the corrected address provided by the local board. If the local board is unable to provide a different 4
122+address than that to which the ballot was originally mailed, the ballot shall be reissued by the 5
123+secretary of state to the board of canvassers in the city or town where the voter resides utilizing the 6
124+numerical or alphabetical code established in subsection (d) of this section. The board shall then 7
125+attempt to notify the voter at his or her place of residence that the ballot has been returned as 8
126+undeliverable. The ballot must be voted in accordance with the provisions of this chapter. 9
127+(g) The acceptance of a mail ballot application by the board of canvassers and the issuance 10
128+of a mail ballot by the secretary of state shall not create any presumption as to the accuracy of the 11
129+information provided by the applicant or as to the applicant’s compliance with the provisions of 12
130+this chapter. Any inaccuracy in the provided information or irregularity in the application may be 13
131+raised as a challenge to the ballot before the board of elections at the time of certification. If the 14
132+challenge raised at that time is meritorious, the ballot shall be voided. 15
133+(h) Within two (2) business days of receipt by the local board, the board shall certify 16
134+emergency mail ballot applications and, when directed by the state board or its staff, shall cause 17
135+the delivery of the emergency mail ballot applications, and certification sheet in sealed packages to 18
136+the state board of elections. 19
137+SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage. 20
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289144 EXPLANATION
290145 BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
291146 OF
292147 A N A C T
293148 RELATING TO ELECTIONS -- MAIL BALLOTS
294149 ***
295-This act would eliminate the requirement of signing with an "X" for voters who cannot 1
296-sign their name due to blindness, disability, or inability to read or write and would establish a three 2
297-(3) day transmittal period after the deadline for local boards to accept mail ballot applications, if 3
298-delivered via the postal service. 4
150+This act would establish a three (3) day transmittal period after the deadline for local boards 1
151+to accept mail ballot applications, if delivered via the postal service, and would eliminate the 2
152+requirement that local boards bring mail ballot certification sheets and applications to the state 3
153+board, unless directed to do so by the state board. 4
299154 This act would take effect upon passage. 5
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301-LC002089/SUB A
156+LC002089
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