Bill > H592

This bill, concerning voting overseas, amends existing election laws to allow absent uniformed services voters and overseas voters, as defined by the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (USC ss1973ff), to receive their ballots and accompanying papers electronically, such as via email or facsimile, to the state secretary. Voters will be able to designate their preferred method of communication for receiving these materials, including internet, fax, or other electronic means, or traditional mail, and local election officials will be required to respond and provide materials in the chosen format. If no specific communication method is designated, ballots will be sent by mail, but if an electronic address is provided, the voter will be notified of their eligibility to receive the ballot electronically. For federal elections, ballots for these voters must be transmitted no later than 45 days before the election if the request is received by the 48th day prior. Furthermore, these voters will be permitted to return their completed ballots and accompanying materials to local officials using electronic means, regardless of how they initially received them.