The "Disaster-Affected Elections Act" seeks to improve the electoral process during emergencies by amending existing laws and introducing new provisions. Key features of the bill include requirements for municipalities to publish notices of delayed or suspended elections on their websites and for Supervisors of Elections to notify voters through various communication methods. The bill establishes that elections emergency contingency plans are public records and must be presented to the Legislature in designated years. It also grants specific rights to voters in counties under a state of emergency or eligible for FEMA assistance, such as the ability to request vote-by-mail ballots without a standard application form and ensuring their ballots are counted if postmarked by election day.

Additionally, the bill mandates the Division of Elections to maintain strategic reserves of election equipment and allows for contracting with state-approved vendors for necessary equipment during emergencies. It requires counties and municipalities to keep their websites updated with changes to voting procedures and locations, emphasizes extending early voting hours, and modifies deadlines for curing vote-by-mail ballots. House Bill 1317 further enhances the voting process by allowing voters in emergency-affected counties to receive assistance with vote-by-mail ballots without facing criminal penalties and streamlining the application process. The legislation aims to create a more resilient electoral framework, ensuring voter participation and access during emergencies, with changes set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 1317 Filed: 102.141, 104.0616