SB 156 Summary

• Establishes an online absentee ballot application system administered by the Secretary of the State, effective July 1, 2019.

• Allows voters to apply for absentee ballots online by typing their name, indicating their municipality, and authorizing use of their signature from the Department of Motor Vehicles or other state agency databases.

• Requires applicants to affirm under penalty of false statement in absentee balloting that they are the person named on the form, are eligible to vote in the indicated municipality, and authorize signature transmission from state agencies.

• Maintains existing requirements for municipal clerks to log absentee ballot applications and prohibits distribution of campaign materials with applications.

• Upon receipt, the Secretary of the State must transmit online applications to the appropriate municipal clerk for processing.