The proposed bill would update current election statutes by changing the primary election date from the first Tuesday in August to the second-to-last Tuesday in July, starting in 2026. It also modifies the ballot signature cure deadline for elections involving federal offices from within 10 calendar days to within 5 calendar days, and establishes that provisional ballots must be compared to the signature roster within five calendar days after elections that do not include federal offices. Additionally, the bill ensures that nomination and local initiative petition forms referencing the former August primary date remain valid for the new July date, and it prohibits the rejection of nomination papers solely based on the date change. It allows party representatives to observe at polling places and mandates that any election items scheduled for the August primary be included on the ballot for the new July date. The bill also clarifies that existing provisions regarding the curing of voter signatures and identification requirements for provisional ballot voters remain unchanged, and it declares the act an emergency measure for immediate effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 16-201, 16-204, 16-206, 16-550, 16-558.02, 16-590, 16-402, 16-579.02, 16-579, 16-550.01, 16-168, 16-551, 16-602, 16-449, 16-191
House Engrossed Version: 16-135, 16-201, 16-204, 16-206, 16-558.02, 16-590, 16-542, 16-402