H.B. 1248 - Elections by Mail Summary

• Requires all elections statewide to be conducted by mail beginning with the 2020 primary election, with ballot packages mailed approximately 18 days before each election.

• Establishes voter service centers at county clerk offices (and additional locations as needed) open from the tenth business day before an election through election day to receive ballots, provide voter assistance, offer same-day registration, and accommodate voters with disabilities.

• Allows designated places of deposit for personal ballot delivery, open five business days before election through 7:00 p.m. on election day.

• Eliminates precinct-based voting and related election infrastructure (precinct officials, polling places, voting booths) while preserving ballot secrecy and vote counting procedures adapted for mail-in voting.

• Appropriates $200,000 annually (fiscal years 2019-2020 and 2020-2021) for state implementation and $830,731 annually to counties for startup costs; requires annual progress reports to the legislature through 2025.