House Bill No. 6849, also known as Public Act No. 25-134, introduces several technical revisions to the Government Administration and Elections statutes, set to take effect on October 1, 2025. Key amendments include the repeal of subdivision (9) of section 3-56a, which redefines "mineral" by removing the term "liquid" from its definition. Additionally, subsection (c) of section 4-8 is amended to clarify that department heads must designate one deputy to assume their responsibilities in their absence. The bill also updates the nomination process in section 9-4a by defining "contact information" to encompass various communication methods and allows voter guides to link to the Federal Election Commission's website for candidate information. Furthermore, it stipulates conditions for removing and re-adding elector names from registry lists and clarifies the use of absentee ballot applications for specific groups, ensuring that names on the inactive registry list do not count towards petition signature requirements.

The bill further enhances the voting process by allowing former residents to apply for a "presidential ballot" through their municipal clerk and mandates the appointment of absentee ballot coordinators based on the number of absentee voters. It clarifies the definition of "immediate family" for voter assistance and revises the recanvassing process for elections, detailing the roles of moderators and officials in addressing discrepancies. Defeated candidates must now file a written waiver to forgo a recanvass, and the Secretary of the State is tasked with notifying clerks and candidates about automatic recanvass qualifications. The bill also establishes the Long Island Sound Foundation, Inc. as a new nonprofit organization, replacing the Long Island Sound Assembly, and centralizes decision-making authority within the Department of Consumer Protection. Overall, these amendments aim to streamline election processes, enhance voter accessibility, and improve governance within relevant departments.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 4-8, 9-32, 9-35c, 9-153a, 9-264, 9-311a
GAE Joint Favorable: 4-8, 9-32, 9-35c, 9-153a, 9-264, 9-311a
File No. 109: 4-8, 9-32, 9-35c, 9-153a, 9-264, 9-311a
Public Act No. 25-134: 4-8, 9-32, 9-35c, 9-153a, 9-264, 9-311a