Bill > HSB213

This Study Bill enacts several changes to election laws, primarily focusing on absentee ballots and voter list maintenance, and introduces penalties for violations. Key provisions include holding election officials accountable for failing to perform their duties or hindering the election process, strengthening voter list maintenance by requiring more frequent verification and cross-referencing with other states, and establishing stricter rules for absentee ballot applications and returns, such as prohibiting pre-filled applications and defining who can collect and return ballots. The bill also introduces new requirements for ballot drop boxes, including video surveillance and specific retrieval protocols, and clarifies the process for verifying absentee ballot postmarks using postal service barcode tracking. Additionally, it modifies rules for nonparty political organizations and petition-based nominations, increases the number of required signatures for certain nominations, and allows the state commissioner to issue guidance on election laws. Penalties are introduced for election officials who fail to pay fines, and investigations into election misconduct are streamlined. Finally, the bill addresses procedures for filling vacancies in elected offices and specifies when certain provisions take effect and apply to future elections.