AN ACT CONCERNING UNSOLICITED PROVISION OF ABSENTEE BALLOT APPLICATIONS, AUDITS OF SAME-DAY ELECTION REGISTRATION AND ABSENTEE VOTING, FREE-OF-CHARGE PHOTO IDENTIFICATION FOR VOTING PURPOSES, MANDATORY MINIMUMS FOR ELECTION CRIMES AND SIGNATURE VERIFICATION FOR ABSENTEE VOTING.

SB 653 prohibits unsolicited mailing or delivery of absentee ballot applications to voters. It requires election officials to audit same-day voter registrations and verify that absentee voters reside at the address on their applications. The bill mandates photo ID for in-person and absentee voting, with free ID and free photocopy access at public libraries (state-reimbursed), and requires matching signatures on absentee ballots to application signatures. It also sets minimum prison terms for certain election law violations. These changes directly affect voters, election administrators, and individuals violating election laws.