SB1597

THE CONTEXT: Laws 2022, Chapter 271 provides counties the option to provide for the on-site tabulation of voted early ballots on election day. Statute outlines procedures for counties that authorize the on-site tabulation of voted early ballots.

WHAT THE BILL DID: The final vetoed version would modify the statute concerning on-site tabulation of voted early ballots to mandate counties with a population of 500,000 or more provide for at least one polling place in each Legislative District that allows for the on-site tabulation of voted early ballots, require counties with a population of 500,000 or more to comply with this law by the 2024 general election, and make technical and conforming changes.

WHY IT MATTERED: The practical reason for this bill was to turn the Legislature's standard for early ballot on-site tabulation into an enforceable rule. It would modify the statute concerning on-site tabulation of voted early ballots to mandate counties with a population of 500,000 or more provide for at least one polling place in each Legislative District that allows for the on-site tabulation of voted early ballots, and would also require counties with a population of 500,000 or more to comply with this law by the 2024 general election, rather than leave the current rule unchanged.