Substitute Senate Bill 296 Summary

• Establishes requirements for court orders to keep polling places open past the 7:30 p.m. closing time, requiring petitioners to prove by clear and convincing evidence that no fair election is possible without the extension and to post a bond covering the estimated costs.

• Requires persons who vote during extended hours to cast provisional ballots that are subject to eligibility verification before being counted.

• Creates a special election day panel in each court of appeals district to hear immediate appeals of orders granting petitions to keep polls open, with decisions made without briefing based on oral arguments and submitted evidence.

• Sets precinct election official compensation at $22.50 per hour for work performed during court-ordered polling place extensions, adjusted annually for inflation using the Consumer Price Index.

• Establishes procedures for handling costs of extended polling hours, including board of elections estimates submitted to the secretary of state and cost-sharing among the state, county, and affected political subdivisions.