HB 5262 Summary

• Removes the time restriction "during the hours of voting" from absentee ballot eligibility, allowing voters to cite inability to appear at their polling place "on the day of" the primary, election, or referendum.

• Eliminates COVID-19 as a standalone eligibility reason for absentee voting, removing the temporary provision that applied to the 2020 state election and elections between June 23, 2021, and November 3, 2021.

• Modifies absentee ballot eligibility reasons to use "sickness" instead of "illness" while maintaining existing reasons including armed forces service, absence from town, physical disability, religious observance, and official duties.

• Requires absentee ballot envelopes to include updated statements reflecting the revised eligibility requirements under penalty of false statement.

• Prohibits any person from misrepresenting the absentee voting eligibility requirements to electors or prospective absentee ballot applicants.