SB 205 - This act creates a system to allow voters to cast advance ballots in person at the location of the election authority in primary and general elections beginning January 1, 2012 and by mail. The advance voting period shall begin the third Wednesday prior to the election and end on the day of the election and shall be conducted between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. and until 12:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Advance ballots may be requested immediately after the election immediately prior to the election for which the ballot is sought and no later than four weeks prior to the election for those to be mailed to the applicant. Ballots shall be sent out by mail no later than three weeks prior to the election. Ballots mailed in to the election authority must be postmarked four days prior to the election day.
Those voting an advance ballot shall not vote a provisional ballot on election day. Those who do are guilty of a class one election offense.
Costs associated with the implementation of advance voting shall be paid from the general revenue of the state.
This act is similar to SB 859 (2006), SB 37 (2007), SB 1251 (2008), SB 523 (2009), SB 21 (2009), SB 651 (2010), and SB 105 (2011).
CHRIS HOGERTY