summary
Introduced
01/13/2025
01/13/2025
In Committee
01/13/2025
01/13/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
04/24/2025
04/24/2025
Introduced Session
2025 Regular Session
Bill Summary
Absentee ballots. Provides that absentee ballots may be processed, counted, and tabulated before 6 p.m. on election day, but vote totals for a precinct, a county, or an election district may not be released before 6 p.m. on election day. Describes the process of processing, counting, and tabulating early voting absentee ballots. Requires a county election board to use the procedures relating to voting and processing of ballots by voters who vote in person at a precinct or vote center on election day, to the extent that such procedures are applicable in the context of early voting. Provides that an absentee ballot card voted during early voting may be scanned using an optical scan ballot scanner beginning 28 calendar days before election day. (Under current law, scanning may begin not earlier than seven days before election day.) Requires that a feature of a voting system that enables the retraction of a ballot must be approved before being used in an election. Provides that a voting system retraction process must be designed to minimize the possibility that the retracted votes on a voter's ballot can be linked to the identity of the voter. Relocates statutes applicable to early voting absentee ballots and mail absentee ballots. Repeals superseded statutes.
AI Summary
This bill modifies Indiana's election laws regarding absentee ballots, focusing on several key provisions. The bill allows absentee ballots to be processed, counted, and tabulated before 6 p.m. on election day, but prohibits releasing vote totals before that time. It expands the window for scanning early voting ballots from seven to twenty-eight days before election day and introduces new definitions for election-related terms like "counted," "processed," and "tabulated." The bill also requires that any voting system feature allowing ballot retraction must be approved and designed to prevent linking retracted votes to specific voters. Additionally, the legislation provides detailed procedures for handling absentee ballots, including signature verification, ballot processing, and challenge mechanisms. It mandates that county election boards follow specific protocols when handling absentee ballots, such as keeping ballots secure, updating electronic poll books, and maintaining strict confidentiality of vote counts before polls close. The changes aim to standardize and potentially streamline absentee ballot handling across Indiana's counties, with most provisions set to take effect on July 1, 2025.
Committee Categories
Government Affairs
Sponsors (1)
Last Action
First reading: referred to Committee on Elections (on 01/13/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://iga.in.gov/legislative/2025/bills/senate/302/details |
| Fiscal Note #1: Introduced | https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/senate/bills/SB0302/fiscal-notes/SB0302.01.INTR.FN001.pdf |
| BillText | https://iga.in.gov/pdf-documents/124/2025/senate/bills/SB0302/SB0302.01.INTR.pdf |
Loading...