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Bill to scan early in‑person absentee ballots before election day draws security and efficiency debate
Summary
Representative Wescow said House Bill 13‑59 would let counties scan early in‑person absentee ballots at the time a voter completes them and store the images, with tabulation delayed until after polls close; county clerks supported the measure for cost and workload reduction, while the League of Women Voters and election officials warned it risks chain‑of‑custody and secret‑ballot protections.
Representative Wescow told the committee that House Bill 13‑59 would let completed early in‑person absentee ballots be scanned when cast and stored in secure containers, but only tabulated after 6 p.m. on election day. "This legislation will allow completed early in person absentee ballots to be scanned in real time and stored in secure ballot containers, but only tabulated or counted after 6PM on election day," Wescow said, arguing the change would reduce handling and bolster confidence.
Several county clerks and county election…
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