Bill would remove requirement to post absentee-voter list at polling places; clerks say information remains accessible

Representative Julie Darling sponsored House Bill 167 to eliminate the requirement that counties post absentee-voter lists at every polling location. Darling told the committee the list is rarely consulted by voters in the age of online lists and widespread absentee voting.

"It goes through reams and reams and reams of paper and nobody looks at it," Darling said, urging the committee to remove the antiquated posting requirement.

Lewis and Clark County elections director Connor Fitzpatrick testified in support, explaining that the absentee status appears on multiple documents used by judges at the polling place (the register and the poll book) and that chief judges can confirm a person's absentee status on request. Janelle Tucek and other clerks' association witnesses also supported the change, calling the statutory posting requirement redundant and costly.

Committee members asked for clarification on which lists are public and how absentee status appears in the register and poll book. Fitzpatrick explained the register contains notation ("absentee ballot issued") and the poll book and ballot-stub process still track who has returned or been issued a ballot. Clerks said voters can still request absentee lists from the elections office or ask judges at the polls.

No opponents testified; the hearing closed without a committee vote at this session.

Why it matters: The bill reduces paper use and administrative burden while preserving voter access to absentee status through registers, poll books and county offices.

What’s next: Committee will consider the bill; proponents asked for a due-pass recommendation.