Senate Bill 2131 Summary

• Authorizes qualified electors to vote early between 21 and 5 days before election day at the registrar's office or designated location in their county.

• Establishes early voting hours as 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on weekdays (with extended hours until 7:00 p.m. the last two days) and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on one Saturday during the early voting period.

• Requires commissioners of election to publish notice of early voting hours at least 25 days before the election; early voting is not conducted if only one candidate qualifies for all offices.

• Specifies that votes cast during early voting are final and shall be announced simultaneously with votes cast on election day, with candidates having the right to challenge voter qualifications during early voting as they do on election day.

• Prohibits absentee ballot casting at the registrar's office during the early voting period and amends absentee ballot application forms to reference early voting dates; requires Secretary of State to promulgate implementing rules and regulations.