2019 Senate Bill 117

Allow email return of military absentee ballots

Introduced in the Senate

Feb. 21, 2019

Introduced by Sen. Ruth Johnson (R-14)

To allow active duty military voters and their spouses to return their absentee ballots by email if sent from a military-issued email address, using a military “common access card” smart-card to verify identity.

Referred to the Committee on Elections

May 23, 2019

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (S-1) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Received in the House

Oct. 30, 2019

Referred to the Committee on Elections and Ethics

In the Senate

Nov. 30, 2019

Passed in the Senate 36 to 1 (details)

In the House

March 4, 2020

Reported without amendment

Refer to the Committee on Ways and Means with the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted.

Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means

Sept. 24, 2020

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-6) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Amendment offered by Rep. Rebekah Warren (D-55)

To also allow military dependents to vote with this system.

The amendment failed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. Mike Mueller (R-51)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that revises details but does not change the substance as previously described.

The substitute failed by voice vote

Passed in the House 88 to 17 (details)

To allow active duty military voters and their spouses to return their absentee ballots by email if sent from a military-issued email address, using a military “common access card” smart-card to verify identity.

Received in the Senate

Sept. 24, 2020

Passed in the Senate 31 to 6 (details)

To concur with the House-passed version of the bill.

Dec. 18, 2020

Received

Passed in the Senate 37 to 0 (details)

Motion to reconsider by Sen. Peter MacGregor (R-28)

The vote by which the bill was passed.

The motion passed by voice vote

Received

Passed in the Senate 21 to 16 (details)