Senate Bill 387

Chairman: Austin Scott

Committee:Governmental Affairs

House Sponsor: Harry Geisinger

Senate Sponsor: Cecil Staton

Section 1 allows electors to request an absentee ballot without stating a statutory reason for the request. Section 2 allows those who are entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act to make application for an official ballot electronically. Section 3 requires the registrar or absentee ballot clerk to compare identifying information and signature on the ballot application with the information on file in the registrar’s office. Section 4 requires that the official absentee ballots be stored in a matter that will prevent tampering and unauthorized access once received.

This bill comes to the House Floor under the Modified Structured Rule.

Chairman Scott’s Opinion of this Legislation:

This bill is the product of working with the Secretary of State to improve laws dealing with absentee ballots with the goal of reducing voter fraud.