SB 582: Absentee & provisional ballots; process & timing for rejected applications, rejected prov. ballots.

Official summary

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

Elections; absentee and provisional ballots; process and timing for rejected absentee ballot applications, returned absentee ballots, and rejected provisional ballots. Requires the general registrar to promptly notify a voter by telephone or email of an error or omission on the provisional ballot form and to provide information to the voter on how to correct the issue so his ballot may be counted if the electoral board determines that such voter who submitted a provisional vote was not entitled to vote as a result of a material error or omission on the provisional ballot form. The voter is entitled to make such necessary corrections before noon on the Monday after the election. The bill also requires the list of absentee ballot applicants to be updated daily and to include whether each application has been accepted or rejected and, if it has been rejected, the reason for rejection or, if it has been accepted, the status of the absentee ballot. Registrars are also required to enter such information into the voter registration system, and such information is required to be made available to voters via a free-access system made available by the Department of Elections. The bill removes the requirement that absentee ballots be received by the Friday immediately preceding the day of the election for the general registrar to implement the process of curing errors or failures in such absentee ballots. The bill also moves the deadline for curing errors or omissions in absentee ballot applications from noon on the third day after the election to noon on the Monday after the election. Finally, the bill requires the Department to issue guidance to local election officials on the uniform processing and counting of provisional ballots. The bill has a delayed effective date of September 1, 2026.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 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. April 13, 2026Governor's recommendation received by Senate
2. March 14, 2026Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
3. March 14, 2026Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 14, 2026
4. March 12, 2026Signed by President
5. March 12, 2026Signed by Speaker
6. March 12, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB582)
7. March 12, 2026Bill text as passed Senate and House (SB582ER)
8. March 12, 2026Enrolled
9. March 11, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB582)
10. March 6, 2026House substitute agreed to by Senate (21-Y 19-N 0-A)
11. March 4, 2026Passed House with substitute (64-Y 35-N 0-A)
12. March 4, 2026Engrossed by House - floor substitute

Showing 12 most recent of 38 actions. Full history