HI HB178

Allows county clerks to electronically transmit absentee ballots if mailed ballots are not received by the voter within five days of an election or if a voter requires a replacement ballot within that timeframe.

Expands permitted forms of electronic transmission to include facsimile transmission, electronic mail delivery, or online absentee ballot delivery and return systems, instead of facsimile-only transmission.

Permits voters to return voted ballots and executed forms via electronic transmission or mail, provided they are received by the clerk no later than the close of polls on election day.

Requires county clerks to determine in advance which forms of electronic transmission are permissible for initial ballot delivery and return transmission, which may differ between the two processes.

Specifies that if a voter returns multiple voted absentee ballots for the same election, only the first non-spoiled ballot returned shall be prepared for counting.