Modifies provisions relating to election oversight
HB 638 allows political parties to designate voter challengers at polling places and absentee ballot counting locations. These challengers, who must be registered voters in the jurisdiction, can observe voting and ballot counting but may only challenge suspected election law violations after reporting to election judges. The bill requires parties to submit challenger names to election authorities four business days before an election, with replacements allowed if qualifications aren't met. Challengers cannot share voter lists that reveal vote counts, and their challenges must follow specific reporting procedures to election officials.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Dec 2024
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Dec 19, 2024
Last action Apr 8, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison
What changed between versions
Introduced
→
House Committee Substitute
·
4 edits
MODERATE
This bill was amended to expand its scope from repealing one section of election law to repealing two sections and adding new oversight provisions. The changes add a new section (115.107) that creates a new role called 'watcher' for election oversight, while modifying the existing 'challenger' role to apply only to first-class and charter counties during absentee voting periods.
Scope change
The bill now covers two separate oversight roles (challengers and watchers) instead of just challengers, and the challenger role is now limited to first-class and charter counties for absentee voting periods.
SCOPE
Added a new section 115.107 that creates a new 'watcher' role for observing vote counting procedures at polling and counting locations.
REQUIREMENT
Modified the challenger role to only apply to first-class and charter counties during the absentee voting period, rather than all counties.
Changed the bill title and purpose statement to reflect that it repeals two sections (115.105 and 115.107) and enacts two new sections relating to election oversight.
TECHNICAL
Updated bill metadata including the bill number designation from 'Introduced' to 'House Committee Substitute' and changed the Chief Clerk name from Dana Rademan Miller to Joseph Engler.
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
16
Key actions
4
Committee
6
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 8 NOES: 0 PRESENT: 0
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Voted Do Pass (H)
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Committee
Referred: Rules - Legislative(H)
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
HCS Reported Do Pass (H) - AYES: 6 NOES: 2 PRESENT: 1
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
HCS Voted Do Pass (H)
lower
Jan 22, 2025
Committee
Referred: Elections(H)
lower
Dec 19, 2024
Introduced
Prefiled (H)
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Mark Matthiesen
RRepublican
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