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Panel Hears Measure to Improve Readability of Early‑voting Mail‑ballot Instructions for Visually Impaired Voters
Summary
House Bill 2259 would require the secretary of state to prescribe early voting mail‑in ballot application instructions in portrait 8.5x11 orientation using Calibri or Aptos 12‑point (or larger), with bolding as needed and translations based on state demographics; sponsor framed it as improving accessibility for voters with visual impairments
The Committee on State Affairs considered House Bill 2259, which would standardize the layout and type specifications for instructions that accompany early‑voting mail‑in ballot applications.
Senator Hall, presenting the bill for the sponsor, said voters with visual impairments have reported difficulty reading the current instructions, which “are often printed in small font on a half sheet of paper, making them hard to read and increasing the risk of application errors.” HB 2259 would require the secretary of state to prescribe instructions that use a portrait 8½‑by‑11 sheet, Calibri or Aptos font at size 12 or larger, bolding as needed, and translations when state demographics warrant them.
The committee opened public testimony; no witnesses offered oral comments during the hearing and the chair closed public testimony. The bill was left pending for committee consideration.
Ending: The sponsor said the measure would reduce confusion and improve readability for voters who use early‑voting mail‑in applications, and the committee will consider the measure in subsequent work.
