The act requires all electronic voting systems to produce election results from paper ballots that voters have marked by hand. Furthermore, the paper ballot is designated as the official ballot. The use of touchscreen, direct-recording, electronic vote-counting machines may be used by disabled voters until January 1, 2024. Replacement of equipment for use by voters who are disabled shall be with paper ballot marking devices designed to assist voters. Under no circumstances shall direct-record electronic touchscreen vote counting machines be used after January 1, 2024.

These provisions are similar to provisions in SB 633 (2022), SCS/SB 654 (2022), SB 670 (2022), SB 679 (2022), SB 695 (2022), SB 738 (2022), HCS/SS/SB 812 (2022), SB 861 (2022), SB 1065 (2022), HB 1483 (2022), HCS/HB 1595 (2022), HB 1646 (2022), the truly agreed to and finally passed SS/SCS/HB 1878 (2022), HB 1911 (2022), HB 1976 (2022), HB 2113 (2022), the perfected HCS/HB 2140 (2022), HB 2531 (2022), HB 2577 (2022), and HB 2630 (2022).

The act requires the use of specific labels for ballot measures depending on the type of measure it is. Statewide statutory ballot measures and referendums shall be labeled by the Secretary of State with the letters A through I. County ballot measures shall be labeled by the local election authority with the letters J through R. Local ballot measures shall be labeled by the local election authority with the letters S through Z. This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SB 812 (2022) and similar to provisions in HB 1911 (2022), HB 2577 (2022), and HS/HCS/HB 738 (2021).

The act provides that for any election in which the selection of multiple candidates in response to a single ballot question is permitted, the ballot language for such an election shall specify that the voter "may vote for up to [the maximum number] candidates". The maximum number of candidates is based on the offices available. The ballot language shall not indicate that the voter "shall" or "must" vote for a definite number of candidates.

This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SB 812 (2022).

The act prohibits the use of drop boxes, with the exception of mail boxes under the ownership and control of the United States Postal Service.

This provision is identical to a provision in HCS/SS/SB 812 (2022).

SCOTT SVAGERA