A bill for an act relating to an absentee ballot marking pilot program for voters with disabilities.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Jon Dunwell and 3 co-sponsors

Empowers a pilot program enabling voters with disabilities to privately mark absentee ballots using assistive tech, with mail-ballot requests and a 2028 sunset.

Introduced, referred to State Government.

#absenteevoting #disabilities #pilotprograms #voting

HF 819 — Absentee ballot marking pilot program for voters with disabilities

Summary prepared for readers seeking a clear, factual understanding of the bill’s purpose, provisions, and potential impact.

Overview

HF 819 would authorize the state commissioner of elections to establish a pilot program allowing voters with disabilities who cannot mark ballots by hand to independently and privately mark absentee ballots. This could be done using assistive technology that provides nonvisual access, low-vision access, or other accessible methods, including an electronic voting device that produces a paper record. The bill also creates a process for these voters to request an absentee ballot by mail. The pilot is temporary, with a sunset repeal date in 2028, and includes reporting requirements to the Legislature.

Key Provisions

Role and authority

The state commissioner may adopt rules (pursuant to chapter 17A) to implement the pilot program.

Eligible methods

Voters with a disability that prevents hand-marking a ballot may independently and privately mark an absentee ballot using assistive technology that provides nonvisual or low-vision access, or other suitable options, including devices that produce a paper record.

Ballot request process

The program must include a method by which a voter with a disability can request an absentee ballot by mail.

Scope of implementation

If the pilot is not implemented statewide, it must include a sufficient number of counties to determine statewide feasibility.

Reporting

The state commissioner must file a report with the General Assembly by December 31 of each year regarding the pilot.

Sunset/Repeal

The section establishing the pilot is repealed on July 1, 2028.

Implementation and Timeline

Introduction and referral: Introduced March 6, 2025; referred to State Government.

Potential statewide rollout vs select counties: The bill contemplates either full statewide implementation or a limited county-based pilot designed to assess statewide feasibility.

Annual reporting: Requires year-end reports to the Legislature on progress, outcomes, and feasibility findings.

Sunset: The pilot authority and related provisions expire on July 1, 2028, unless extended or made permanent by future legislation.

Who is Affected

Voters with disabilities who require assistive technology to mark ballots independently.

Voters who rely on absentee ballots and may benefit from accessible marking options.

Election administrators and the state commissioner responsible for rulemaking and program administration.

Counties participating in a pilot (if not statewide) and the broader electorate awaiting feasibility results.

Notes

The bill emphasizes accessibility, privacy, and independent ballot marking through available assistive technologies, with a pathway to request absentee ballots by mail.

The accompanying explanation reiterates the program’s goals and operational elements but is provided for context and does not constitute policy.

Sponsors: Dunwell, Matson, Zabner, Young (primary).