Senate Bill 747 Summary

• Extends ballot retention requirements from one year to 22 months after elections, or longer if required by federal law, for voted ballots, election results tapes, and executed ballot applications.

• Prohibits the State Board and county boards of elections from accepting private monetary donations or in-kind contributions for conducting elections, with limited exceptions for voting site use, food/beverages, and supplies like pens and protective equipment.

• Creates new provisions for election observers, allowing political parties and unaffiliated candidates to appoint observers at voting places with specified limits on numbers, conduct rules, and procedures for challenging appointments and removals.

• Establishes same-day voter registration at early voting sites, requiring voters to present photo ID, proof of residence (HAVA documents), and complete a registration application before voting a retrievable ballot.

• Extends the deadline for returning mail-in absentee ballots from 5:00 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. on election day, and allows ballots postmarked on or before election day to be counted if received within three days after the election.