SB12 Summary

• Suspends the 15-day notice requirement for polling site changes during a gubernatorial emergency declaration, allowing county boards to consolidate and relocate polling sites up to 3 days before an election.

• Allows eligible voters to request absentee ballots if they determine attending polls poses health risks due to the emergency, with county clerks required to mail ballots within 7 days of request.

• Permits election officials to open outer envelopes of absentee ballots and process them up to 15 days before election day to align with early voting, while prohibiting opening inner envelopes before 8:30 am on election day.

• Requires election officials to publish daily notices during emergency-period absentee ballot processing, including location, start time, and expected completion time.

• All emergency election modifications expire 30 days after the emergency declaration unless the Governor terminates the emergency earlier or the General Assembly or Legislative Council approves an extension.