SB 315 - Absentee Ballot Application Procedures

• Removes telegraph as an application method for absentee ballots while maintaining mail, facsimile, in-person, and electronic communication options approved by the Secretary of State Election Board.

• Allows voters to indicate applications are for a single election, all elections in a calendar year, or all future elections, with applications remaining valid unless cancelled or ballot returned undelivered.

• Automatically cancels multi-election absentee ballot applications if a voter fails to return a voted ballot for any election within a 24-month period after approval.

• Expands absentee voting procedures for incapacitated voters in nursing facilities and veterans centers to allow three types of applications (single election, calendar year, or all future elections) with the same 24-month inactivity cancellation provision.

• Becomes effective November 1, 2015.