Engrossed Senate Bill 80 Summary

• Allows county election boards to begin processing absentee ballots at an earlier date or time than Thursday before election day, subject to written approval from the Secretary of the State Election Board.

• Permits early counting of absentee ballots (not earlier than the affidavit examination date), but results must remain secret until 7:00 p.m. on election day.

• Requires election results storage media to be sealed and secured by the county sheriff when ballots are counted before election day, with procedures detailed in the bill.

• Imposes penalty requiring any county election board secretary, member, or employee who intentionally discloses absentee ballot results before 7:00 p.m. on election day to forfeit their office or be terminated from employment.

• Effective date: November 1, 2013.