This bill amends the process for handling valid mail-in ballots that are received after the polls close. It stipulates that any mail-in ballot considered valid must be numbered and initialed by both a Republican and a Democrat on the county board of elections upon receipt. Furthermore, these ballots will not be separated from their inner envelopes until 61 days after they have been received, numbered, and initialed. Access to these mail-in ballots and their inner envelopes during the 60-day period following their receipt is restricted to a judge of the Superior Court, ensuring that they are only accessed in the context of a legitimate court case.

Additionally, the bill maintains the requirement that mail-in ballots must be received within specific timeframes to be counted, including those with postmarks on or before election day and those delivered by the United States Postal Service within 48 hours after polls close. The bill emphasizes the importance of confidentiality and security in the canvassing process, mandating that no unofficial results be disclosed until after the polls close on election day. It also includes provisions for the Secretary of State to establish guidelines for early canvassing and to ensure that election results remain confidential until the appropriate time.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 19:63-22