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Senate approves amended bill tightening local control and procedures for voter-challenge process
Summary
Senate Bill 185, revising the process for verifying registered voters' address qualifications (challenge statute), passed after the Senate adopted an amendment that limited challenges to county residents, extended response timelines, and added rulemaking authority for auditors.
The Senate passed Senate Bill 185, which revises the procedure by which a registered voter's address qualification may be challenged. Senator Hulse, who presented the bill and a floor amendment, said the measure is modeled on challenge processes used in other states and reviewed to align with the National Voter Registration Act.
Senator Hulse explained the adopted amendment (185C) restricts who may file a local challenge to residents of the county where the challenged voter is registered. The amendment also extends the period challengers have to respond from 14 to 30 days, gives rulemaking authority to define auditors' investigation requirements and evidentiary standards, and clarified timelines so the measure remains consistent with federal law. Hulse said the change protects against out-of-state organizations initiating challenges without a local plaintiff and keeps the focus on local control.
The amendment was adopted and the Senate proceeded to final passage of SB 185 as amended. The roll call reported 33 yeas, 1 nay, and 1 excused; the president declared the bill passed.
