Amendment ID: S2755-17

Amendment 17

Streamlining mail in ballot application processing

Ms. DiZoglio, Mr. Moore, Ms. Comerford and Ms. Moran move that the proposed new text be amended in section 6(d)(4), by striking out the words "application; and (ii)" and inserting in place thereof the following words:- "application; (ii)"; and further, in said section 6(d)(4), by inserting after the word "guaranteed" the following words:- "; (iii) include a bar code on each application specific to the voter which can be used by the city or town clerk to scan such application into the voter registration system for processing; and (iv) include clear instructions and a link for voters to track their applications”; and further, by adding the following new sections:

SECTION XXXX. The secretary shall, by July 15, 2020, make software changes to the voter registration system to streamline the processing of mail in ballot applications, which shall include one step scanning of said applications using the bar codes required by section 6(d)(4)(iii), in addition to other changes the secretary deems necessary or advisable to assist city and town clerks with more efficiently processing said applications.

SECTION XXXX. The secretary shall implement a voter tracking system for early voted applications, similar to what the secretary does for absentee ballot tracking for state elections, that will provide voters with real time tracking of the status of their applications, including the date an application is processed, the date a ballot is mailed to the voter by the local official, and the date the ballot is received back by the local official, and provide the link to this tracking system on each application in accordance with section 6(d)(4)(iv).