To reform provisions related to absentee voting. Among other changes, the bill would allow an absentee voter to vote at his or her polling location with a regular ballot if the election official can determine that the voter did not already vote with an absentee ballot. If confirmation cannot be achieved, the voter must use a provisional ballot. The bill would also modify verification procedures for absentee ballots returned without signature. See companion SB 5738.   Official Text and Analysis.

The substitute bill clarifies that a voter issued an absentee or mail ballot may vote a regular ballot at a poll site as long as it can be confirmed that the voter has not already returned a ballot. Confirmation is made by accessing the county voter registration system by electronic, telephonic, or other means. If it is confirmed that the voter has not already returned a ballot, the voter must immediately be credited with voting. The provisions of the original bill relating to a comparison of the vote tallying system to a manual count are removed.