SF1021

Purpose

This bill aims to change how absentee ballots are returned by voters by repealing the authorization for absentee ballot drop boxes and tightening the ways ballots can be returned. It moves toward requiring returns by mail or in-person delivery to local election offices and adds new rules about who can deliver ballots and how they must be handled.

Main provisions

• Absentee ballot return options
  • Voters must return absentee ballots by mailing the return envelope or delivering it in person to the county auditor or municipal clerk by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.
  • A voter may designate an agent to deliver in person the sealed absentee ballot return envelope or to mail it. An agent may handle ballots for up to three voters in any election.
  • If an agent tampers with a return envelope or ballots or does not promptly mail or deliver the envelope, the agent commits a misdemeanor.
  • The bill states that the county auditor or municipal clerk must not provide a drop box or similar receptacle for depositing absentee ballot envelopes.
• Repeal of drop box provisions
  • The bill repeals the separate law that previously created and governed absentee ballot drop boxes (including how they work, security standards, required publications of locations, daily collection, date stamping, storage, and related rules).
  • It also repeals drop box-related restrictions on electioneering within 100 feet and other associated requirements.
• Transition and effect
  • By repealing the drop box statute, the bill eliminates the official drop box system and its security and operational standards, shifting focus to mail and in-person returns through local election offices.

Significant changes to existing law

• Elimination of absentee ballot drop boxes
  • All existing rules about designing, securing, locating, collecting from, and publishing drop box locations are repealed.
  • The prohibition on providing drop boxes by counties or municipalities is enacted, removing this option entirely.
• Expanded use of agents for ballot returns
  • Voters may appoint an agent to return ballots for up to three voters, with penalties for tampering or failure to mail/deliver.
• Return deadline and handling
  • Absentee ballots must be returned by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day, whether by mail or in-person delivery to the local election office.
• Alignment with other rules
  • Removing drop boxes also removes related electioneering restrictions near drop boxes, since the underlying drop box framework is repealed.

Relevant Terms - Absentee ballots - Return envelope - Drop boxes (absentee ballot drop boxes) - County auditor - Municipal clerk - In-person delivery - Mailing/return by mail - Agent - Tampering - Misdeamor - Repealer / repeal of 203B.082 - 8:00 p.m. Election Day deadline - Absentee voting period - Secretary of State (as related publication requirements) - Electioneering (near drop boxes)