Bill > HF819

This bill establishes a pilot program to help voters with disabilities independently and privately mark absentee ballots using assistive technology. The state commissioner of elections is authorized to create and implement rules for a program that allows voters with disabilities who cannot mark ballots by hand to complete their absentee ballots using nonvisual access, low-vision access, or other assistive technologies that enable them to vote electronically while producing a paper record. The program must include a mail-based request method for eligible voters, and if not implemented statewide, it will be tested in a sufficient number of counties to evaluate its potential for broader implementation. The state commissioner is required to submit annual reports to the general assembly by December 31 detailing the program's progress and effectiveness. The pilot program is set to expire on July 1, 2028, which allows for a multi-year assessment of its feasibility and impact on improving voting accessibility for people with disabilities.