Charter & directives for State Board of Elections; SOA to oversee & develop, etc.
Impact
If enacted, the bill could fundamentally change the way military-overseas ballots are submitted in Virginia. Currently, absentee ballots must be returned by mail, which has led to a significant number of unreturned ballots from military members stationed overseas. By enabling electronic submissions, SJR37 would aim to enhance voter accessibility and ensure that all eligible military personnel can effectively participate in elections, potentially increasing voter turnout among this demographic.
Summary
SJR37 proposes the establishment of a working group under the oversight of the Secretary of Administration to study the implementation of electronic return of voted military-overseas ballots. This initiative arises from the recognition that many absentee ballots from overseas voters, particularly those in the military, are often not counted due to delays in mail delivery. The bill seeks to address this issue by potentially allowing for the secure electronic return of ballots, thereby increasing the likelihood that these important votes are counted in elections.
Contention
One notable point of contention revolves around the concerns about security and the integrity of the voting process. Critics may argue that while electronic voting could enhance accessibility, it also introduces risks related to data privacy, ballot tampering, and unauthorized access to voter information. The bill addresses these concerns by mandating a study that focuses on areas such as encryption, authentication, and verification of voter identity. The outcome of this study and the recommendations made by the working group will be crucial in determining the viability and safety of implementing electronic voting for military-overseas ballots.
Elections: absent voters; tabulating absent voter ballots received up to 6 days after an election from an absent uniformed services voter or overseas voter; provide for. Amends secs. 759a & 764a of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.759a & 168.764a).
Elections: absent voters; electronic return of absent voter ballots by uniformed services voters and overseas voters; allow, and codify tabulating certain absent voter ballots received up to 6 days after the election. Amends secs. 759a & 764a of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.759a & 168.764a) & repeals sec. 18a of 1954 PA 116 (MCL 168.18a).
Resolve, Directing the Secretary of State to Study Providing Access to Absentee Ballots for Municipal Elections to Uniformed Service Voters or Overseas Voters in the Same Manner as Absentee Ballots for Statewide Elections
Elections; Alabama Voting Rights Act Commission established to prevent discrimination in voting; duties and membership provided; Secretary of State required to establish database on election administration