HB 5123 Summary

• Requires cities and townships with more than one election precinct to establish an absent voter counting board for each election day precinct, with optional boards allowed for single-precinct jurisdictions.

• Mandates that accumulated election reports clearly separate election day precinct returns, absent voter counting board returns, and totals for each.

• Changes the timing of ballot processing to prohibit commencement earlier than 7 a.m. on election day (modifies existing language permitting earlier processing).

• Requires all persons present at absent voter counting places after processing begins to take an oath of confidentiality and prohibits disclosure of election results before polls close under penalty of felony.

• Directs the Secretary of State to develop and distribute binding instructions for absent voter counting board operations to clerks at least 40 days before general elections.