House Bill 275 - Election Law Summary

• Establishes county election record retention schedules: voter registration cards and poll books retained 5 years; absentee ballot forms retained 2 years; voted ballots and tally books retained 1 year; other election supplies may be disposed of 60 days after recount deadline.

• Modifies election day registration procedures by allowing students to prove residence using current student photo ID with fee statement, and removes requirement for county clerk to deliver written notice to precinct committeemen.

• Revises presidential primary ballot access by extending secretary of state publication deadline from 60 to 75 days before election and changing candidate filing deadline from 50 to 60 days prior to primary.

• Changes recount procedures by allowing county clerks to request recounts in addition to attorney general, and establishes procedures for counties to open absentee ballot envelopes up to 24 hours before election day for optical scan ballots.

• Adds new procedures for automated ballot tabulation system recounts, requiring hand-tally verification of randomly selected ballots with specific accuracy thresholds determining whether remaining ballots are recounted by hand or electronically.