This bill mandates the Secretary of State to create a public awareness campaign focused on the federal rules regarding the United States Postal Service (USPS) postmark and its implications for mail-in ballots. The campaign aims to educate the public on the definition of USPS postmarks, the potential for discrepancies between the postmark date and the actual mailing date, and the consequences of late postmarks on mail-in ballot validity. It will utilize various media outlets, including newspapers, radio, social media, and television, to disseminate this information. Additionally, the bill emphasizes that voters can request manual postmarks and use ballot drop boxes to avoid issues related to USPS postmarking.

Furthermore, the bill requires the Secretary of State, in collaboration with county boards of elections, to evaluate the placement and usage of mail-in ballot drop boxes across the state. This assessment will ensure that drop box locations meet voter needs and comply with existing laws. Following the evaluation, the Secretary must report findings and recommendations for any necessary statutory changes regarding drop box numbers and locations. To support these initiatives, the bill appropriates $100,000 from the General Fund to the Department of State for the development and implementation of the public awareness campaign.