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Committee approves temporary early-voting date adjustments for certain special elections
Summary
S.B. 5101, which would permit early voting adjustments for certain special elections (with automatic repeal upon expiration), was reported from committee after members discussed giving discretion to boards of elections.
The Senate Elections Committee on Feb. 25, 2025, reported Senate Bill 5101, a bill to amend election law to permit early voting for certain special elections and to provide for repeal of the provisions upon expiration. The sponsor explained the measure would allow flexibility around religious holidays such as Easter and Passover.
Senator Wall asked why the bill mandates date changes rather than giving the board(s) of elections discretion to make changes. The sponsor and counsel said the board of elections had requested the change and that the committee used legislative authority to set dates, noting a prior approach used for a presidential election. The record shows the committee moved the bill; Senator Myrie moved the motion and Senator Rook seconded. The clerk recorded no opposition in the hearing.
The bill as reported specifies date changes rather than delegating discretionary authority to boards; the transcript does not record any amendment to change that approach. The committee did not detail operational or notice procedures required of boards if the dates shift. The measure was reported from committee for further consideration.
