ABSENTEE VOTING – Amends, repeals, and adds to existing law to revise provisions regarding the returning and verification of absentee ballots.

This bill revises Idaho's absentee voting procedures to strengthen identity verification and streamline ballot handling. It requires absentee voters to include their driver's license number, last four social security digits, and date of birth on the return envelope, along with a non-notarized signature, replacing previous affidavit requirements. County clerks must verify these details against voter registration records when ballots are received and record the time of receipt, with ballots needing to arrive by 8:00 p.m. election day to be counted. The bill also clarifies that secret ballot envelopes must remain sealed until counting time and repeals outdated provisions. These changes take effect January 1, 2026, directly affecting absentee voters and county election officials.