HF894 Summary

• Absentee Voting Changes: Eliminates the requirement to state eligibility reasons on absentee ballot applications; changes "ongoing absentee voter" status to "permanent absentee voter" status; extends the deadline from 4 to 7 days before election for ballot acceptance and roster marking.

• Ballot Design and Administration: Removes specific ballot color requirements (white, pink, canary, buff, gray); simplifies ballot terminology to "state general election ballot" and "judicial nonpartisan general election ballot"; updates various election administration timelines to 46 or 74 days before elections.

• Vacancies in Nomination: Creates new procedures for filling candidate vacancies; allows parties to nominate replacements on or before 79 days before election (candidate appears on ballot) or after (triggers special election on second Tuesday in February); permits withdrawal for catastrophic illness.

• Voting Rights and Felony Offender Data: Expands Department of Corrections data sharing to include probationers on felony supervision; prevents incarcerated individuals from receiving absentee ballots; clarifies that law enforcement investigates voter registration violations.

• Electronic Rosters and Task Force: Establishes pilot project for electronic poll books in five cities; creates task force to study electronic roster implementation, data security, and statewide feasibility.