Committee advances bill allowing same-county movers to vote in new precinct during early in-person voting

The Senate Government Organization Committee voted to report House Bill 2709 to the full Senate with the recommendation that it pass as amended, the chair declared after voice votes on the strike-and-insert language and subsequent motion.

Committee counsel explained the bill “would allow a voter with a change of address that is still within the same county to vote in his or her new precinct without having to cast a provisional ballot.” Counsel said the vote must be cast during the early in-person voting period, the voter must show proof of the new address, and the change of address must be completed in the statewide voter registration system by the county clerk prior to canvas. Counsel also said a title amendment was pending.

During discussion, a senator identifying themselves as the senior senator from the 6th asked how a voter proves the new residence. Committee counsel suggested examples such as “utility bills, maybe a lease agreement, those sorts of documents,” and said someone from the Secretary of State’s office present in the hearing room might be able to explain more precisely. The transcript indicates a representative from the Secretary of State’s office was present but did not speak in the excerpt.

The committee adopted the strike-and-insert language and the motion to report the bill to the full Senate with the recommendation that it do pass as amended; the chair declared the motion adopted by voice vote. The committee also adopted a title amendment by voice vote.