Create Election Integrity Unit; revise election law prosecution
What changed between versions
Removed section 109.95, which previously gave the attorney general authority to initiate criminal proceedings for election fraud and prosecute violations if county prosecutors did not act within 12 months.
Added new section 3501.055 establishing an Election Integrity Unit within the secretary of state's office to investigate election fraud and voter suppression allegations.
Modified prosecution timeline requirements, establishing a one-year deadline for prosecuting attorneys to act on referrals from the Election Integrity Unit, with escalation to the attorney general if not prosecuted.
Added 26 new duties (A through EE) for the secretary of state, including voter registration programs, ballot preparation, election oversight, and accessibility coordination for persons with disabilities.
Added requirement for the secretary of state to publish reports on absent and provisional ballots on a website within one month after each primary and general election.
Added detailed procedures for the Election Integrity Unit to receive public complaints, investigate allegations, and submit annual reports to the governor and general assembly.