CS/CS/HB 1355 - Elections Summary

• Third-party voter registration: Organizations must register with the Division of Elections, provide registration agent information, and deliver collected applications within 48 hours; violations subject to fines up to $1,000 annually with possible attorney general enforcement.

• Voter registration and information: Supervisors must issue voter information cards containing polling place addresses; voters have 5 business days to receive notification of application disposition; signature verification requirements updated for absentee ballots.

• Early voting and absentee ballots: Early voting reduced to 10 days before elections with 6-12 hours per day; absentee ballot requests valid through end of calendar year of second ensuing general election; canvassing of absentee ballots may begin 15 days before election.

• Candidate qualification and campaign finance: Removes requirement for public employee oath; simplifies candidate oaths; allows candidates to obtain petition signatures from any registered voter during apportionment years; extends time between primary and general elections to 12 weeks.

• Constitutional amendments: Requires ballot statements to include full text or 75-word summary with ballot title; establishes 30-day challenge period for legislative amendments; provides for court priority and attorney general revision of defective language.