Voters could apply to become permanent absentee voters under a measure approved by the Oklahoma House Elections and Ethics Committee today. State Rep. Elise Hall, author of House Bill 1559, said the intent of her legislation is to improve the absentee ballot system and encourage greater voter participation. “The current absentee ballot process forces individuals to apply for a ballot each and every election,” said Hall, R-Oklahoma City. “That can be a real hardship for traveling voters, nursing home residents and other incapacitated individuals. It makes more sense to allow people to apply for a permanent absentee status so that they can receive ballots for each election in which they are eligible to vote.”
The legislation has specific language requiring all applications for absentee ballots made by military service members overseas to be considered permanent absentee ballot applications.
… The legislation also provides for the automatic cancellation of absentee ballots if the postal service returns ballots undelivered to the county election board.
Full Article: Committee approves absentee voting bill – The Edmond Sun: State News.