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House approves bill to notify voters when ballots are counted
Summary
The House passed first substitute HB70, which creates an opt-in ballot-count notification system (text or email) supported by county clerks and vetted by the Lieutenant Governor's office; passed 72-0 and will be transmitted to the Senate.
On Feb. 1, 2021, Representative Johnson presented first substitute HB70, a bill that would permit county clerks to notify voters by text or email, if they opt in, when their ballot has been counted.
Johnson said the idea originated with a county clerk and a former representative and has support from the County Clerk's Association and the Lieutenant Governor's office. The sponsor described the measure as a simple notification system — not a ballot 'tracking' tool in the sense of revealing a voter's ballot choices — that alerts voters that signature verification and processing are complete and their ballot was counted.
Representative Judkins asked whether the notification process already exists in some counties; Johnson replied that several clerk offices have begun the process and the bill helps standardize an opt-in method statewide.
The substitute passed by voice and recorded vote, 72 yes to 0 no, and will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.
Implementation notes: The bill authorizes notification by text or email for voters who sign up, and county clerks and the Lieutenant Governor's Office were identified as supportive stakeholders for implementation.
