IN SB0178

Requires "ABSENTEE BALLOT" to be printed in prominent, uniform capital letters at the top of every absentee ballot prepared by county election boards

Eliminates the requirement that the third member of a recount commission be a mechanic familiar with voting equipment; the third member now only needs to be a voter from a major political party

Requires all voting equipment, system, or software contracts entered into, amended, or renewed after June 30, 2012 to include a provision mandating the vendor provide a competent expert familiar with the equipment during any recount

Extends the deadline for consolidating multiple recount petitions from the 7th day to the 14th day (for candidate petitions) or 17th day (for county chairman petitions) after election day

Removes the requirement that state recount commission hearings on contest petitions be convened at least two days after the contest proceeding is ordered