Substitute House Bill No. 7229 is designed to improve access to absentee ballots for individuals in state custody, specifically those in Department of Correction (DOC) facilities. The bill mandates the Secretary of the State to create a dedicated absentee ballot application form for incarcerated voters, which must include all necessary information and clearly indicate its exclusive use for this population. It also requires the Commissioner of Correction to ensure that absentee voting sets are delivered to applicants who are transferred to different facilities. Furthermore, municipal clerks are tasked with maintaining a log of applications from incarcerated individuals and are provided with a streamlined process for mailing absentee voting sets.

The legislation introduces several amendments to existing laws, including the repeal of certain subsections and the addition of new provisions that clarify the voting rights of individuals in custody. It explicitly states that individuals in DOC facilities are considered absent from their town or city for voting purposes, thus allowing them to participate in elections. The bill also modifies registration requirements for distributing absentee ballot applications, exempting DOC employees who assist incarcerated applicants from certain obligations. Overall, the bill aims to facilitate the absentee voting process for those in state custody, ensuring their voting rights are protected, and is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, with no anticipated fiscal impact on the state or municipalities.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 9-139a, 9-14a
GAE Joint Favorable Substitute: 9-139a, 9-14a
File No. 694: 9-139a, 9-14a