This bill introduces amendments to the existing law regarding absentee ballots, specifically addressing the situation of a weather emergency. It allows voters who would otherwise vote in person but have safety concerns due to a weather emergency to request an absentee ballot. The bill specifies that this provision is applicable on the Monday immediately prior to an election if the National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning, blizzard warning, or ice storm warning for the voter's area. The language inserted into the law includes a new checkbox on the absentee ballot application form for voters to indicate that they are requesting a ballot due to concerns for their safety traveling in the storm.

Additionally, the bill modifies the requirements for town and city clerks' offices on the day before an election. It allows clerks' offices to extend their hours for receiving applications for absentee ballots, providing voters the opportunity to complete absentee ballots, and receiving returned ballots during a storm warning. This change aims to accommodate voters who are dealing with the effects of severe weather conditions. The act is set to take effect 60 days after its passage.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 657:4, 657:1
As Amended by the House: 657:4, 657:1