Committee weighs implementation, cost and enforcement as sponsor seeks rules to expand ballot access in jails and state hospitals

Summary

House Bill 1146 would require county auditors, jails and state hospitals to plan for voter registration and ballot access; sponsors and advocates said the bill fills gaps in access, while counties and some agencies asked for funding and changes to a civil‑enforcement provision that would impose civil penalties for intentional violations

The State Government & Tribal Relations Committee on Jan. 15 considered House Bill 1146, a secretary‑of‑state request bill that would require county auditors to coordinate with jails and state hospitals to produce joint voting plans and ensure that people in custody have access to voter registration, ballots and election information.

Desiree Omley of the Office of Program Research summarized the bill’s requirements: each jail and state hospital must designate a voting coordinator and work with their county auditor on a plan that details registration outreach, how ballots and election information will be distributed (ballots must be accessible at least eight days before a primary or general election) and how audit-level data on registration and ballot return will be collected. County auditors and secretary of state staff would be permitted to enter jails and…

Committee weighs implementation, cost and enforcement as sponsor seeks rules to expand ballot access in jails and state hospitals

Summary

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