H.B. No. 5116 amends the Election Code to establish new requirements and procedures for contests of elections regarding proposed constitutional amendments. Key changes include stipulations that the filing of an election contest does not suspend the implementation of a constitutional amendment approved by a majority vote unless the contestant demonstrates a substantial likelihood of success on the merits and other specified conditions at a hearing within 30 days of filing the contest. Additionally, the trial court is required to issue a written ruling on pretrial motions within 30 days and ensure that the judgment is filed no later than 180 days after the contested election.

The bill also modifies the timeline for trial dates, allowing them to occur no earlier than 45 days after the election, and mandates that the governor declare the election valid or void within 10 days of the court's final judgment. Furthermore, if an appeal is filed, the appellate court must resolve the matter within 60 days of the judgment becoming final. These changes will apply to contests filed on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Election Code 233.014 (Election Code 233)
House Committee Report: Election Code 233.014 (Election Code 233)