Senate Bill 441 (sSB441 File No. 483) proposes the creation of the Municipal Election Accountability Board (MEAB) within the office of the Secretary of the State (SOTS), effective July 1, 2024. The MEAB is charged with reviewing the administration of municipal elections, primaries, and referenda, including aspects such as early voting, absentee voting, and same-day election registration. The bill specifies that the MEAB's establishment does not impinge on the existing powers of the Secretary of the State or the State Elections Enforcement Commission, nor does it limit individuals from seeking further remedies under current laws. The MEAB will be composed of various appointed members, including the Secretary of the State or a designee, the executive director of the State Elections Enforcement Commission or a designee, and nine other members appointed by the Secretary of the State with the General Assembly's advice and consent. These members will serve four-year terms and must recuse themselves in cases of conflict of interest. The bill also details the process for referring municipalities to the MEAB for review hearings based on evidence of election administration irregularities or improprieties.

The bill introduces a tiered system of oversight for municipalities, with the MEAB determining the necessary level of oversight and its duration. The state is expected to incur costs of approximately $350,000 in FY 25 and FY 26 to support the MEAB, while municipalities may face costs depending on the MEAB's findings and the oversight level imposed. The MEAB is required to adopt regulations by January 1, 2025, to implement the act's provisions. The bill includes insertions that add new sections to the law and specifies the qualifications for appointed members, the process for referral and review hearings, and the four tiers of oversight. The Government Administration and Elections Committee has given the bill a Joint Favorable Substitute with a vote of Yea 14 Nay 5 on March 26, 2024.