SEA 15 Absentee ballots. Senator C. Lawson, Waterman; Rep. Richardson, Thomson.
Provides that an absentee ballot application may not be given to a voter if certain information has been filled out before the application is given to the voter, specifically a request for a particular party ballot, designation of the type of absentee ballot requested, the reason why the person says they’re entitled to vote absentee. Permits other information to be filled out before given to the voter, including the name, address, date of birth, and voter identification number of the absentee voter.
Requires an individual who assist a voter complete certain information on an absentee ballot application or who files an absentee ballot application for another individual to sign an affidavit attesting to certain information, including their identity and contact information. Requires an applicant for an absentee ballot to affirm the content of the application under the penalties for perjury. (Keep in mind, that a voter who actually shows up at the polls is not entitled to establish his or her identity by submitting an affidavit. If you go to the polls, you have to produce a state or federal identification.)
Establishes noon of the day before election day as the deadline for a confined voter or a voter caring for a confined person to submit an absentee ballot application by fax. Permits a county election board member or an absentee voter board member to file an affidavit alleging that an absentee ballot application has not been filed according to law.
Provides that a person may not engage in electioneering in the presence of an individual who possesses an absentee ballot. Provides that a voter who is an address confidentiality program participant is entitled to cast an absentee ballot.
Requires a member of the voter’s household or the voter’s attorney in fact who deliver an absentee ballot to a voter to affirm the voter’s identity and the identity of the person delivering the ballot under penalties for perjury. (No need for an ID, apparently).
Allows an authorized agent or employee of a county election board; or an employee of a bonded courier company; to handle or deliver a voted or unvoted absentee ballot. Allows a person who receives a voted absentee ballot to deliver the ballot to the county election board in person, by United States mail, or by a bonded courier company.
Requires a person who votes an absentee ballot before an absentee board in the office of the circuit court clerk or at a satellite office to provide proof of identification before being permitted to vote.
Establishes new criminal offenses relating to fraud and misrepresentation in elections.
Excludes from the definition of “electioneering” a person’s communications to: (1) the person’s spouse; (2) an incapacitated person for whom the person has been appointed guardian; and (3) a member of the person’s household. Provides that “electioneering” does not include expressing support or opposition to a candidate or a political party or expressing approval or disapproval of a public question as long if such expression is done by mail, otherwise such expression does constitute electioneering.
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