HB 1621 - DIGEST

 

     Provides that, before initial processing of absentee ballots, the county auditor shall notify the county chair of each major political party of the time and date on which absentee processing will begin, and shall request that each major political party appoint official observers to observe the processing and tabulation of absentee ballots.

     Directs the auditor to adopt administrative procedures for the initial and final processing of absentee ballots.  Copies of these administrative procedures must be made available to the political party observers, and to the public upon request.

     Provides that absentee ballot return envelopes for a primary or election may be opened for initial processing on or after the tenth day before that primary or election.

     Provides that after opening the return envelopes, the county canvassing board shall either:  (1) Place all of the security envelopes containing the absentee ballots in containers, and secure the containers with numbered seals; or

     (2) in the case of absentee ballots that will be tabulated on an electronic vote tallying system, open the security envelopes, perform the initial processing, place the absentee ballots in containers, and secure the containers with numbered seals.