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Committee approves bill letting county clerks update voter registration through close of polls
Summary
Senators advanced Senate Bill 304 to allow county clerks in a voter’s new county to accept updated registration information up until polls close, using real-time data shared between clerks and the secretary of state’s system.
The committee advanced Senate Bill 304 after a brief explanation and questions about implementation. Sponsor testimony said the bill removes a statutory timing barrier that can prevent a voter who moves counties from casting a ballot in their new county when updated registration information reaches the new county late on election day.
Senator McKee, presenting the bill, said improvements in election technology allow county clerks and the election commission to verify a voter’s address and whether the individual has already voted. The bill directs that, if the county clerk in the new county receives updated voter information before polls close, that voter may vote in the new county.
Senator Sullivan asked how notices and real‑time communications are managed; McKee replied that the secretary of state and county clerks have signed off and that the election commission can answer technical questions. The sponsor brought the election commissioner to the table during questions to confirm operational readiness.
No public witnesses signed up for or against the bill. The committee moved to pass (mover: Senator Clark; second: Senator Sullivan) and recorded a voice “aye.” The chair announced the bill passed the committee.
The transcript shows the committee relied on the secretary of state and county clerk communications for verification and that the bill’s purpose is to remove a statutory barrier to qualified electors who have moved across county lines on election day.
