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Bill

HC 18

Constitution; amend to require early voting 10 days before every election.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Hester Jackson-McCray

Would enshrine a 10-day early voting window in the state constitution for all elections, affecting voters and election offices; requires voter approval, but died in committee.

Died In Committee
#apportionmentandelections #constitution
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Bill Summary · HC 18

Summary of HC 18: Constitution; amend to require early voting 10 days before every election

Overview

HC 18 is a concurrent resolution proposing a constitutional amendment that would require early voting to be available at least 10 days before every election. As a concurrent resolution aimed at the state constitution, passage would typically involve confirmation by both legislative chambers and voter ratification. The bill was introduced on January 17, 2025, referred to the Apportionment and Elections and Constitution committees, but it ultimately died in committee on February 4, 2025.

Purpose and Intent

  • Establish a guaranteed early voting window of 10 days prior to all elections.
  • Enshrine in the state constitution the requirement for early voting, ensuring a minimum voting period across primary, general, and special elections.

Key Provisions (as drafted)

  • Constitutional amendment to mandate early voting begin at least 10 days before every election.
  • Applicability to all elections conducted under state and local election laws (i.e., primaries, general elections, special elections, etc., as determined by applicable statutes and constitutional interpretation).
  • Being a constitutional change, any effect would depend on voter approval following legislative passage.

Who Would Be Affected

  • Voters: granted a defined window for early voting, potentially increasing flexibility to vote in person before Election Day.
  • Election Officials and Polling Administrators: would need to plan, staff, and operate early voting sites for a minimum 10-day period for each election.
  • Local governments and election agencies: administrative and logistical planning would be required to meet the constitutional requirement in practice.
  • Budgeting and operations: potential impacts on staffing, site operations, and related costs for early voting.

Legislative and Procedural Timeline

  • Introduced: January 17, 2025.
  • Referred to: Apportionment and Elections; Constitution.
  • Status: Died in Committee on February 4, 2025.
  • Implication of status: The proposal did not advance to the floor for debate or further consideration in the current legislative session, and would need to be reintroduced or revived in a future session if proponents wished to pursue it again.

Potential Implications and Considerations

  • Access vs. Cost: While increasing access to voting, establishing a 10-day early voting window could raise operational costs and staffing needs.
  • Administrative Readiness: Requires coordination across counties or jurisdictions to ensure adequate early voting sites and hours.
  • Voter Experience: A predictable early voting period could improve voter confidence and reduce Election Day crowding.
  • Constitutional Change Process: As a constitutional amendment proposal, it would require a successful legislative process and voter approval to take effect.

Notes

  • This summary reflects the bill as introduced and its documented status. If revived, HC 18 would need to progress through the usual legislative process and obtain voter ratification to become effective.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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