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Conferees weigh removing outer envelopes and tightening documentation language in SB218
Summary
Lawmakers discussed a Senate proposal to eliminate outer envelopes for absentee ballots and a House amendment clarifying which documentation is 'applicable'; the House emphasized preserving as much election-day processing as possible.
A committee of conference reviewed competing positions on Senate Bill 218, which would change procedures for absentee ballots and accompanying documentation.
The Senate signaled a desire to remove the outer envelope currently used with absentee ballots. The House said it is not opposed to reconsidering the envelope practice but wants to preserve as much election-day processing as possible. A House conferee said election processes should remain as similar to in-person voting as feasible.
The panel discussed adding the word "applicable" to a clause listing documentation required from voters to make clear that voters already registered in the state need not re-prove age or citizenship. The Senate agreed to clean up language so that the requirement applies only to "applicable" documentation.
House conferees also expressed concern that some clerks believe voters can register to vote absentee without ID, which the House said is not its understanding of law and is an issue it wants to close. The committee recessed and scheduled a follow-up meeting for Wednesday to continue negotiations.
