This bill establishes a prohibition on the possession of firearms at polling places during federal, state, or municipal elections, with exceptions for on-duty law enforcement officers, voters exercising their right to vote, and individuals who secure unloaded firearms in their vehicles. Violating this prohibition will be classified as a class A misdemeanor. Additionally, the bill amends existing absentee voting laws by inserting a new provision that allows individuals who are "unwilling or unable to comply with the prohibition of firearms at a polling place" to request an absentee ballot, thereby expanding the criteria for absentee voting eligibility.

Furthermore, the bill modifies the absentee ballot application process by adding a checkbox for voters who meet the new criteria related to firearm possession at polling places. This change aims to ensure that individuals who may feel unsafe voting in person due to the presence of firearms can still participate in elections. The bill also outlines requirements for absentee ballot envelopes, including a certification statement that voters must sign, and establishes penalties for providing false information related to voting, which will also be classified as a class A misdemeanor. The act is set to take effect on January 1, 2026, and is anticipated to have indeterminable fiscal impacts on state and local expenditures.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 657:1, 657:4, 657:7