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Committee rejects bill to make jails satellite polling locations for eligible detainees
Summary
Senate Bill 12 28, which would allow in-person voting inside jails for eligible detained voters, failed in committee on a 3–5 vote; supporters argued it modernizes access for pretrial detainees while opponents raised fiscal and logistical concerns.
Senate Bill 12 28, sponsored by Sen. Oliver, would have allowed local election officials to establish in‑person satellite polling inside jails for people who remain eligible to vote (pretrial detainees and those serving misdemeanor sentences). The committee rejected the bill after a close roll call.
Sponsor Sen. Oliver said the measure was intended to give detained eligible voters the same in‑person options available to other voters and that election officials already visit jails to provide absentee-ballot services; the bill would modernize and standardize in‑person options.
A revised fiscal note filed during the hearing said the change increases local election expenditures because local election commissions would need to provide a voting machine and set up facilities consistent with other early‑voting locations. Committee members debated the fiscal impact and local responsibilities.
The roll call recorded three ayes (Senators Kyle, Yarbrough and Chairman Briggs) and five noes; the clerk reported the final committee tally as 3 ayes, 5 noes and the bill failed in committee.
