Relating to: applying for and returning absentee ballots; use of central counting locations; election night reporting; court determinations of incompetency and ineligibility to vote; preelection tests of electronic voting equipment, and providing a penalty. (FE)

AB 617 updates election procedures in key areas. It requires election officials to test voting machines 15 days before elections (up from 10 days) and publicly verify they reject invalid votes like excess ballots. The bill also creates new rules for handling voter ineligibility: if a court determines someone cannot vote, the election commission must update voter records within 3 business days and notify the voter and local clerk. These changes affect voters (particularly those with court-ordered voting restrictions), municipal clerks, and election officials managing ballot processing and machine testing. The bill passed the Assembly in November 2025 but awaits governor action.