HI SB2113

Allows election officials to open return envelopes and validate signatures on absentee ballots starting the day after ballots are transmitted through election day, with official observers permitted to be present.

Prohibits opening the ballot envelope within the return envelope during preparation for counting, maintaining ballot secrecy.

Permits absentee ballot counting to begin no earlier than 15 days before an election and establishes specific stages including removing ballots from return envelopes, opening ballot envelopes, duplicating damaged ballots, and scanning ballots.

Changes ballot handling requirements from mandatory presence of two officials to observation by a single official, and removes the requirement that counting center employees have two official observers present when preparing defective ballots.

Establishes a new misdemeanor offense for any person who wilfully discloses absentee ballot count results before the polls officially close.