SECOND REGULAR SESSION
SENATE BILL NO. 717
89TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY SENATOR MAXWELL.
Read 1st time January 13, 1998, and 1,000 copies ordered printed.
TERRY L. SPIELER, Secretary.
S3074.01I
AN ACT
To amend chapter 115, RSMo, by adding thereto one new section relating to electronic voting by persons in federal service, with an emergency clause and a termination date.
Section A. Chapter 115, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new section, to be known as section 115.800, to read as follows:
115.800. The secretary of state and one or more election authorities selected by the secretary of state may establish, in cooperation with the Federal Voting Assistance Program, a pilot project for the purposes of permitting persons in federal service, as defined in section 115.275 to transmit their votes to the election authority over an electronic medium. For purposes of this project, persons in federal service shall be entitled to cast and have counted votes for only those candidates and questions for which they would be eligible to cast an absentee ballot. Insofar as it is feasible, votes shall be cast and counted in conformity with sections 115.275 to 115.304. The secretary of state and the participating election authorities shall rely upon procedures established by the United States Department of Defense for security, secrecy and validation of votes, and shall not be subject to civil liability or criminal penalty for following such procedures. This section shall not be construed to create any grounds for recount or election contest not otherwise provided for in this chapter.
Section B. Because of the need to exercise voting rights section 115.800 of this act is deemed necessary for the immediate preservation of the public health, welfare, peace and safety, and section 115.800 of this act is hereby declared to be an emergency act within the meaning of the constitution, and section 115.800 of this act shall be in full force and effect upon its passage and approval.
Section C. The provisions of section 115.800 of this act shall terminate on December 31, 2000.