Bill > S3990

This bill extends the early voting period for primary and general elections and modifies the deadline for appointing election challengers. Specifically, the bill allows early voting to begin seven calendar days before non-presidential and presidential primary elections, and ten calendar days before general elections, with voting ending two calendar days before each respective election. The bill requires counties to designate between three and ten early voting locations based on the number of registered voters, ensuring geographic accessibility and prohibiting the use of public school buildings as voting sites. Early voting locations must be open Monday through Saturday from 10 AM to 8 PM, and on Sunday from 10 AM to 6 PM, with provisions to allow voters in line at closing time to still cast their ballots. The legislation also changes the deadline for filing challenger appointments from the third Tuesday preceding an election and appropriates $6 million to support the implementation of these changes, with additional funding potentially available to counties and municipalities to cover early voting costs. The bill aims to increase voter accessibility and convenience by expanding early voting opportunities while maintaining election integrity through strict security and verification procedures.