SF1636 Bill Summary

• Appropriates $244,000-$245,000 to Legislature and $1.9 million-$549,000 to Secretary of State for elections administration, including polling place accessibility improvements, voter education campaigns, and ranked choice voting education grants.

• Establishes early voting procedures allowing voters to cast ballots in person during the 18 days before federal, state, and county elections; requires county auditors to designate polling places and provide voter notice.

• Creates new penalties for election official intimidation and interference, including prohibitions on harassment, threats, tampering with equipment, and unauthorized access to voter registration systems; establishes civil and criminal remedies.

• Modifies lobbying regulations to replace "metropolitan governmental unit" with "political subdivision" and expands reporting requirements for lobbyists regarding administrative actions, political subdivision actions, and paid advertising exceeding $2,000.

• Establishes a Ranked Choice Voting and Voter Engagement Advisory Task Force to study implementation feasibility and voter education needs, with technical and voter engagement subcommittees reporting findings by February 2024 and 2025.