SPONSOR: Banderman
Currently, voters can cast an absentee ballot by mail or in person at the office of the election authority if they will be unable to vote in person on election day for a number of specified reasons. Beginning two weeks prior to the date of the election, no excuse is needed if the voter is voting an absentee ballot in person at the office of the election authority. This bill extends the no-excuse in-person absentee voting period from two weeks to six weeks prior to the date of the election.
This bill reinstates the presidential preference primary election, to be held statewide on the first Tuesday in March of each presidential election year.
A person who files to be included on the presidential primary ballot is not prohibited from filing as a party candidate for nomination to another office.
Specific deadlines for administrative actions by local election authorities and the Secretary of State that are necessary to hold the presidential preference primary are specified in the bill.
The conduct of the presidential preference primary must conform as nearly as possible to that prescribed for the primary election for State officers.
All costs of the presidential preference primary, except for proportional costs for any political subdivision or special district holding an election on the same day, will be paid by the State.
Statutes affected: