HB 66 Summary

• Removes the "before the election" requirement for voter registration, allowing people who register within 30 days of an election to vote absentee in-person, special needs, or questioned ballots instead of being turned away.

• Establishes ballot security measures including watermarks/security identifiers on ballots, chain-of-custody documentation, forensic examination of tabulators before/after elections, and prohibition on tabulator internet connectivity 24 hours before through 14 days after elections.

• Creates a ballot curing process allowing voters whose ballots are rejected for missing/mismatched signatures or insufficient identification to correct deficiencies within 14 days after election day, with the director notifying voters by email, phone, and mail within specified timeframes.

• Adds new election crimes including election fraud (class B felony) and expands unlawful interference with voting to include tampering with election machinery, ballot collection with payments, and election official misconduct covering disclosure of results before polls close.

• Increases minimum compensation for election workers (ranging from $12.50-$15.50 per hour depending on role) and requires online ballot tracking system for voters to monitor ballot status, delivery, and processing.