HB1615 Summary

• State Board of Election Commissioners gains authority to consider appeals and formulate rules governing county board decisions to reduce polling sites in a county.

• Election officials may serve if married to or related within second degree of consanguinity to an unopposed candidate, provided they are appointed to a polling place or vote center serving fewer than 1,000 qualified electors.

• County boards of election commissioners must provide 60 days notice before changing a polling site for preferential primary or general elections (increased from 30 days), and 30 days notice for other elections, except in emergencies.

• Qualified electors may appeal polling site closures to the State Board of Election Commissioners within 7 days of a county board vote to reduce total polling sites; the State Board must issue a decision at least 30 days before the election.

• Electronic poll books may verify if voters requested absentee ballots and determine correct precinct assignments; precinct voter registration lists must note zip codes and include perjury warnings regarding absentee ballot status.