Senate Bill 2812 Summary

• Establishes an early voting period beginning 20 days before each election and ending at 12:00 p.m. on the Saturday before election day, with voting conducted at the county registrar's office.

• Early voting conducted weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with optional extended hours (lunch period and 5:00-7:00 p.m.) during the final full week before the election.

• Requires early voters to present photo identification and sign a receipt book before casting ballots in the same manner as on election day; all early votes are final and announced simultaneously with election day votes.

• Permits candidates and their representatives to be present at the registrar's office during early voting and to challenge voter qualifications using the same procedures available at polling places.

• Revises absentee ballot eligibility categories to add emergency response providers and citizens temporarily residing outside their county of residence; requires all absentee ballots to be received by 5:00 p.m. on the day before the election.