This bill establishes a pilot program aimed at assisting voters with disabilities who are unable to mark a ballot by hand. The state commissioner of elections is authorized to adopt rules to implement this program, which will allow these voters to independently and privately mark absentee ballots using assistive technology, including electronic voting devices that produce a paper record. The program will also include a method for these voters to request absentee ballots by mail.
The pilot program must be implemented in a sufficient number of counties to assess its feasibility for statewide application. Additionally, the state commissioner is required to submit an annual report to the general assembly by December 31 each year regarding the program's progress. The provisions of this pilot program are set to be repealed on July 1, 2028.