House Bill No. [insert bill number] aims to revise laws concerning the electronic transmission of ballots for disabled voters. The bill allows disabled electors to return their voted ballots electronically using a secure, encrypted transmission system approved by the Secretary of State, under specific conditions. It mandates the Secretary of State to establish encryption and security standards for such systems. The bill amends Section 13-13-246 of the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) to include provisions for returning ballots electronically, replacing the term "secrecy page" with "secrecy cover sheet," and clarifying the requirements for provisional voters. Additionally, it stipulates that ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on election day to be counted.

The bill also includes an appropriation of $10,000 from the general fund to the Secretary of State for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, to cover the costs associated with implementing the encrypted electronic transmission system. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply to federal primary and general elections starting with the federal general election in November 2026.

Statutes affected:
LC Text: 13-13-246
HB0488_1(1): 13-13-246
HB0488_1(2): 13-13-246
HB0488_1(3): 13-13-246
HB0488_1: 13-13-246