HB 694: Absentee voting; counting ballots prior to the close of polls.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Elections; absentee voting; counting ballots prior to the close of polls. Allows officers of election at a central absentee precinct to begin ascertaining and recording the number of votes cast by absentee ballots at any time after noon on the day of the election. Under current law, absentee ballots that are counted by hand may be tallied, but not counted, at any time after noon on the day of the election, and no ballot totals for any absentee ballots shall be ascertained until after polls close. The bill also clarifies that vote totals for absentee ballots cast in person on voting systems cannot be determined until the day of the election. The bill also requires that general registrars begin processing absentee ballots on the fourteenth day prior to the day of the election. Under current law such processing is not required until the seventh day prior to the day of the election.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Republican 1

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. November 18, 2024Left in Privileges and Elections
2. February 9, 2024Continued to 2025 in Privileges and Elections (Voice Vote)
3. February 5, 2024Subcommittee recommends continuing to 2025 (Voice Vote)
4. February 5, 2024House subcommittee amendments and substitutes offered
5. February 2, 2024Assigned P & E sub: Election Administration
6. January 18, 2024Impact statement from DPB (HB694)
7. January 9, 2024Referred to Committee on Privileges and Elections
8. January 9, 2024Prefiled and ordered printed; offered 01/10/24 24103209D