Committee adopts HB361 third substitute to streamline election notices and tighten roll maintenance

The House Government Operations Committee adopted and recommended favorably the third substitute to HB361, a comprehensive elections‑administration bill presented by Representative Shepherd and Ryan Cowley, director of elections in the Lieutenant Governor’s office.

Cowley said the bill consolidates and clarifies notice requirements (so clerks can find a single code section for notices), aligns municipal/special‑district calendars with the municipal schedule in odd/even years, and institutes a candidate‑certification window about 10 days after the write‑in deadline so municipalities can cancel uncontested elections in time to avoid already‑mailed ballots and confusion. The bill also standardizes removal of deceased voters (set to 5 days in updated text), prohibits printing clerks’ names on ballot envelopes beginning in 2027, and restores the Lieutenant Governor’s rulemaking authority over use of the Great Seal to prevent political misuse.

County clerks and elections officials in public comment supported the legislation, noting it requires some additional notices but improves clarity for election administrators and includes enforcement and certification steps (monthly certifications by county clerks that deceased voters are removed). The committee adopted the third substitute and passed the bill with a favorable recommendation by voice vote.

Supporters described the measure as technical cleanup with several policy fixes intended to reduce confusion and improve the integrity and administration of elections.