Assembly expands electronic absentee‑ballot requests and waives signature on applications amid COVID‑19

The Assembly approved an amendment to the Election Law to permit voters to request absentee ballots electronically (email, electronic transmittal systems or a board of elections web portal), eliminate the signature requirement on absentee ballot applications and allow absentee ballots to be mailed up to election day.

Sponsor Miss Sumotis told members the bill codifies changes the governor made by executive order for the immediate primary and would extend similar access for upcoming elections including November, emphasizing removal of barriers (no stamp, inability to leave home) during the pandemic.

Opponents repeatedly raised concerns about verification, signature matching, and the constitutional role of signatures for voter identification; Miss Walsh and others cited the state constitution's emphasis on signatures and examples of absentee‑ballot fraud. Sponsors and supporters said existing ballot‑signature checks and board of elections processes (comparing ballot envelopes to registration signatures) would remain and local boards can create portals and verification procedures.

Lawmakers asked detailed questions about how electronic portals will prevent duplicate ballots, whether web portals can send both an application and ballot simultaneously near election day, and how temporary illness or COVID‑related justification will be authenticated. Sponsors said the bill does not itself change the legal definition of temporary illness and instead supplements executive orders and local board processes.

The bill passed on the floor (Aye 102, No 41) and will take effect immediately; supporters said the change aims to protect turnout and public health with administrative safeguards in place.