Committee approves adding religious-observance excuse for absentee ballots

Senator Dodson told the committee SB 2 47 would add "observance of a religious discipline or religious holiday during the 12 hours that the polls are open on election day" to the list of reasons a voter may request an absentee ballot.

"So it's, if you're unable to attend due to the religious observance of a religious discipline or religious holiday, then you can request that absentee ballot," Dodson said, describing the measure as an addition to existing exceptions on the absentee application form. He emphasized the bill does not change early voting or other absentee processes; it simply adds a fourth listed exception.

Senator Payton asked who determines whether an absence is "unavoidably absent." Dodson said he did not know that there is currently a formal determiner and described the change as allowing individuals to request the ballot on that ground. The committee moved, a second was recorded, and the bill advanced on a voice 'aye' vote; no numeric tally was provided in the transcript.

The committee took no further action in the hearing and adjourned after handling deferred items.