This bill aims to amend the absentee voting process in West Virginia by enhancing the protection of voters' personal information and ensuring the verification of absentee voters' identities. It introduces a requirement for absentee voters to include specific personally identifiable information on a form that must be inserted into the envelope with their returned absentee ballot. This information includes the voter's name, legal residence address, date of birth, a statement of eligibility, the last four digits of their social security number or driver's license number, and their signature or mark. The bill also mandates that election officials review this information against official registration records to confirm the voter's identity without exposing personal details on the ballot envelope.

Additionally, the bill modifies existing provisions regarding the handling of absentee ballots, including the acceptance of applications and ballots, and the procedures for verifying and processing these ballots. It specifies that absentee ballots must be received by election officials by certain deadlines, and it outlines the conditions under which ballots can be accepted if submitted electronically or by mail. The bill also emphasizes the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of voters' information throughout the absentee voting process, thereby reinforcing the integrity and security of the electoral system in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 3-3-5