HB538 Summary

• Removes the five-day advance application requirement for absentee ballots, allowing qualified electors to apply for absentee ballots without a specific minimum timeframe prior to elections.

• Changes mail-in absentee ballot application deadlines from 10 days prior to 7 days prior to the election, while hand delivery applications remain due 5 days before the election.

• Moves the start time for absentee ballot processing from noon to 7:00 a.m. on election day, allowing earlier opening and counting of absentee ballots received by the deadline.

• Updates references to federal law by replacing outdated citations (42 U.S.C. 1973ff) with current Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act citations (52 U.S.C. §§ 20301-20311).

• Extends the deadline for counting overseas and military absentee ballots from noon to seven days after primary, second primary, general, or special elections for federal, state, or county offices.