The bill amends the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 3-3-11a, which establishes a system for tracking the receipt and status of absent voter ballots. This system will allow voters to see whether their ballot has been received, verified, and sent for tabulation or rejected. It mandates that specific information be recorded and reported, including dates of application receipt, acceptance or denial of ballot applications, and the status of ballot return envelopes. Additionally, the bill provides for updates when issues with ballots are cured by the voter and requires that the tracking system be accessible to the public via a website or mobile application.

Furthermore, the bill allows voters to opt in to receive notifications about their absent voter ballot via email. It ensures that email addresses provided by voters for this purpose are kept confidential and are not subject to public disclosure under the West Virginia Freedom of Information Act. The bill aims to enhance transparency and communication regarding the absentee voting process while protecting voter privacy.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 3-3-11a
Committee Substitute: 3-3-11a