S.F. 2246 Section 1. Section 53.17, subsection 2, Code 2011, is 1 amended to read as follows: 2 2. a. In order for the ballot to be counted, the return 3 envelope must be received in the commissioner’s office before 4 the polls close on election day or be clearly postmarked by an 5 officially authorized postal service not later than the day 6 before the election and received by the commissioner not later 7 than noon on the Monday following the election. 8 b. Return envelopes shall be conspicuously marked to provide 9 voters with notice of the requirements of this subsection. 10 This notice shall include information related to mailing and 11 postmark requirements to provide voters with notice of federal 12 requirements regarding the proper postmarking of such return 13 envelopes. The state commissioner of elections shall adopt 14 rules to implement this paragraph. 15 EXPLANATION 16 This bill requires that all absentee ballot return envelopes 17 be marked conspicuously to give notice to voters that in 18 order for the absentee ballot to be counted the ballot must 19 be received before the polls close on election day or be 20 postmarked by the day before the election and received by the 21 county commissioner of elections not later than noon on the 22 Monday following the election. The bill requires that such 23 notice include information to provide voters with notice of 24 federal requirements regarding the proper postmarking of such 25 return envelopes. The state commissioner of elections shall 26 adopt rules to implement this requirement. 27 -1- LSB 5764SS (2) 84 aw/sc 1/ 1