HB 1253 Summary

• Changes canvassing timelines: Moves school district election canvassing from the 6th to 13th day after election; moves county canvassing board meetings from 6th to 13th day following each election.

• Updates ballot terminology and procedures: Replaces "electronic voting systems" with "voting systems," updates ballot marking device definitions, and modernizes election administration language throughout.

• Expands election security measures: Requires criminal history record checks for Secretary of State employees with access to personally identifying information or critical election infrastructure systems.

• Clarifies write-in vote counting rules: Establishes that write-in votes receiving 10% or less of votes cast for an office don't need individual reporting, and votes under three may not be counted unless they qualify a candidate.

• Creates new signature mismatch verification process: Establishes procedures for notifying absent voters of signature discrepancies on ballots and allowing them to verify signatures before the canvassing board meeting.