Video & Transcript : 'absenteeism' :
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MO
Transcript Highlights:
- It's a legal document that a person must sign in order to vote absentee.
- And in-person absentee voting, as long as I've been voting, that I can remember.
- Last year, we had four weeks of absentee voting where you had to fill out an affidavit.
- In-person absentee voters for the full six-week period. Questions for this witness?
- I have a problem with the absentee voting in HB 2380.
Summary:
The committee first met in executive session and voted to pass House Bill 2125, which drew some concern from Rep. Woods about subpoena power for the Secretary of State, and House Bill 1812, which passed unanimously. The committee then moved to public hearing on House Bills 2387 and 2480, both aimed at reinstating Missouri’s presidential preference primary and adjusting absentee voting rules. Sponsors Rep. Veit and Rep. Banderman argued the primary would increase participation, make Missouri more relevant in presidential politics, and better reflect voter preferences, while also proposing changes to the in-person absentee window to reduce overlap with April elections and encourage in-person voting.
Testimony in support came from the Missouri Republican Party, the Missouri Democratic Party, the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition, ACLU Missouri, Missouri Farm Bureau, and several individuals. Supporters emphasized broader voter participation, the value of a primary over caucuses, and the need to make Missouri’s presidential process more accessible and visible. Party representatives said they were willing to work on binding language so primary results would inform or bind delegate selection, and Democrats said their rules already bind delegates to primary results. Several members said they would be more comfortable supporting the bills if the primary were made binding by statute and if the primary were closed to party members only.
Opposition focused on the fiscal cost, the nonbinding nature of the primary as written, and concerns that the bill could mislead voters into thinking they were directly electing a nominee when delegates are still chosen through caucus/convention processes. Witnesses and clerks also objected to shrinking the excused in-person absentee period from six weeks to three, warning it could create confusion and burden election offices. The committee heard no final vote on HB 2387 or HB 2480 before adjourning.
MO
Transcript Highlights:
- And it lines up closer to the whole absentee period. So it does not change.
- And it lines up closer to the whole absentee period. So it does not change.
- Charles County saw a full third of the voters who voted by absentee.
- Charles County saw a full third of the voters who voted by absentee.
- No-excuse absentee voting.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Interagency Council on Student Attendance created 3/4/26
Transcript Highlights:
- Allies has three arguments to make on chronic absenteeism today.
- Chronic absenteeism is not just a school issue.
- The Minneapolis chronic absenteeism.
- </c><00:24:17.120><c> most</c> people who chronic absenteeism most people who chronic absenteeism most
- </c> conversation about chronic absenteeism conversation about chronic absenteeism at<00:24:54.400><c
Summary:
The committee heard House File 3585, as amended, which would create an interagency council on student attendance and re-refer the bill to education finance. Representative Keeler moved the bill and an A1 amendment that corrected the council’s placement from the Department of Children, Youth, and Families to the Department of Education; the amendment was adopted. Keeler and Representative Bakeberg described the bill as the product of several years of bipartisan work on chronic absenteeism and truancy, emphasizing that attendance problems involve multiple systems and require ongoing coordination rather than a single-agency response.
Testimony was strongly supportive. Matt Shaver of Allies cited statewide chronic absenteeism data and argued that schools cannot solve the problem alone because root causes such as housing, transportation, health, and economic instability lie outside school control. Assistant Commissioner Angela Mansfield of MDE said the task force and pilot districts showed coordination gaps and supported the council, while also noting MDE’s Compass staff would need permanent funding to carry out the work. Ashley High Totower of Hennepin County’s BEET program said attendance is a public health, child welfare, transportation, housing, and economic issue, and Kenneth Avon of the Minneapolis Foundation said absenteeism is an ecological problem requiring cross-sector coordination.
Student witnesses also supported the bill but urged stronger youth representation. Henry Brick of Catalyst for Systems Change said students understand the causes of absenteeism best and proposed expanding student seats on the council from one to five. Ava Northrup of the Minnesota Youth Council said youth voices should be more than symbolic and suggested two youth representatives, one from the metro and one from greater Minnesota, plus additional youth task forces or panels. In member discussion, Representative Lawrence questioned whether the council duplicated existing MDE work, asked who would coordinate the group, and raised the lack of a sunset; Keeler and Bakeberg said the Department of Education would coordinate and that a sunset could be considered later. Other members asked about fiscal impact, and the chair said a fiscal note had been requested and the bill would move on to education finance.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Elect Committee Meeting - 2025-03-19
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- It allows municipalities to, instead of doing the full 46 days... days of absentee balloting.
- in to be able to get an absentee ballot before that window.
- Sections 3 and 4 on pages 4 and 5 relate to the permanent absentee voter list.
- Section 6 and 7 relate to absentee ballot envelopes.
- Section four makes that a requirement as part of the... absentee ballot application.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (02/04/2025)
Election Law and Municipal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Throughout the years, we've had lots of conversations about absentee voting and no-excuse absentee voting
- </c><01:14:22.520><c> voting</c> of conversations about absentee voting of conversations about absentee
- </c> be applied to uh you know an absentee be applied to uh you know an absentee ballot<01:19:18.480>
- eligible to vote via absentee eligible to vote via absentee ballot<01:21:01.239><c> I</c><01:21:01.440
- Great, thank you. 400 plus absentee ballots that could get 400 plus absentee ballots that could get very
Committee:
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- uh absentee uh absentee<00:14:15.600><c> ballot</c><00:14:16.440><c> application.
- </c><00:14:17.440><c> Section</c> absentee ballot application. Section absentee ballot application.
- </c><00:15:23.440><c> ballot</c> refer to absentee ballot refer to absentee ballot envelopes.<00:15:25.360
- absentee absentee voting<00:15:46.720><c> on</c><00:15:46.959><c> page</c><00:15:47.639><c> 48.
- </c> do with storing and counting absentee do with storing and counting absentee ballots.<00:16:16.720
Committee:
Senate Elections
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- I didn't say much about absenteeism because Hedy will but we found that absenteeism contributed to some
- And the levels of children with chronic absenteeism are extraordinary.
- We state-sanctioned the pandemic and the pandemic is We are seeing a lot of chronic absenteeism with
- Chronic absenteeism rose significantly.
- So that's impacting chronic absenteeism all of a sudden.
Committee:
House Education
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Corrections and Public Institutions Feb 2nd, 2026
Corrections and Public Institutions
Transcript Highlights:
- I was going to bring up something about maybe absentee voting.
- and allow those individuals to vote absentee.
- So I'm just letting you know when it comes to absentees.
- But when it comes to the absentees, I kind of know a lot on that.
- One of the concerns was the absentee voting process.
Committee:
House Corrections and Public Institutions
Summary:
The House Corrections and Public Institutions Committee held a public hearing on House Bills 2592, 2787, and 2834, which were described as having nearly identical language. The bills would restore voting rights for people with felony convictions who are no longer incarcerated and, in the versions discussed, remove language requiring completion of probation or parole before registering to vote. Sponsors and supporters said the measures would align Missouri with other states, promote civic engagement, and help reduce recidivism. Several members also noted that people on supervision often work, pay taxes, and remain active in their communities, yet cannot vote under current law.
Committee members asked about practical implementation, especially how voting would work for people who are incarcerated or serving misdemeanor sentences, and whether absentee voting mechanisms would be needed. Witnesses and sponsors said current law already allows some absentee voting for pretrial detainees and suggested the issue could be addressed through further amendment or discussion. Members also raised questions about exclusions for certain offenses, such as election-related felonies, and about whether people on life supervision would be covered. Sponsors explained that the bills would not restore voting rights to people currently incarcerated, but would restore them upon release or while on probation/parole, depending on the bill language.
Testimony was overwhelmingly in support. Bill sponsors Representatives Stennett, Collins, and Anderson testified in favor, along with advocates from Empower Missouri, the Center for Responsive Government Action, the League of Women Voters of Missouri, ACLU of Missouri, Missouri Appleseed, Justice for All, the Missouri State Conference of the NAACP, Americans for Prosperity, and the Missouri Voter Protection Coalition. Supporters emphasized rehabilitation, community belonging, and public safety, citing studies and personal experiences showing that voting rights restoration can reduce recidivism and encourage reintegration. No opposition testimony was presented. The committee took no final action and adjourned after the hearing.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (04/15/2025)
Election Law and Municipal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, I I put some 352 absentee ballots were requested. 352 absentee ballots were requested.
- </c> absentee ballot may be requested. absentee ballot may be requested.
- </c> where an absentee ballot can be sent. where an absentee ballot can be sent.
- </c> with applying for an absentee ballot. with applying for an absentee ballot.
- You add to that the number of absentee<01:42:58.080><c> ballots</c> absentee ballots absentee ballots
Committee:
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House panel considers election security bill, HF2073 3/19/25
Minnesota House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Permanent absentee ballot requests are increasing in their number.
- Section 4 makes that a requirement as part of the absentee ballot application.
- Permanent absentee ballot requests are increasing in their number.
- Permanent absentee ballot requests are increasing in their number.
- Permanent absentee ballot requests are increasing in their number.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Senate Special Session 2026 May 6th, 2026
Alabama Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- ><c> their</c><00:31:11.679><c> absentees.
- </c> fill out their absentees. fill out their absentees.
- </c> have made so difficult to vote absentee. have made so difficult to vote absentee.
- </c><00:50:35.280><c> to</c> checkck myself when I vote absentee to checkck myself when I vote absentee
- </c><00:53:09.520><c> and</c> disabilities, or rely on absentee and disabilities, or rely on absentee
Summary:
The Alabama Senate convened with prayer, the pledge, and a roll call establishing a quorum of 34 senators present. The chamber then received a House message referring House Bill 1 on primary elections to the Committee on County and Municipal Government, and moved to Senate Bill 1, also dealing with primary elections and tied to ongoing court action over Alabama’s legislative maps. Senator Elliott explained SB 1 as a prospective measure meant to set up a special election if federal courts lift injunctions on the state Senate districts, while opponents argued the bill was being rushed and could disrupt voters, candidates, absentee voters, and election administration.
Much of the debate focused on whether the bill would effectively change election rules too close to an election and whether it conflicted with a 2022 statewide amendment requiring election-related changes to take effect at least six months before a general election. Supporters said the bill simply preserves the legislature’s enacted maps and responds to recent court rulings, while opponents said it could disenfranchise voters, especially military, elderly, absentee, rural, and Black voters, and that the underlying litigation and federal Voting Rights Act issues remained unresolved. Several members also referenced a Brennan Center report and broader concerns about racial turnout gaps and minority representation in Alabama.
Senator Coleman offered an amendment to give the state discretion rather than mandate a special election, arguing it would better align with the current court order; the Senate rejected it on a roll call vote, 8 yeas to 25 nays. Senator Vivian Figures then offered a notice-focused amendment requiring adequate public notice before any election changes, arguing that voters need time to learn new dates, polling places, deadlines, and ballot information; that amendment also failed on a roll call vote, with the clerk announcing it did not pass. The transcript ends with further discussion beginning after the failed amendment votes.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs (02/11/2025)
Election Law and Municipal Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> certainly navigate how to vote absentee certainly navigate how to vote absentee the<01:07:54.160
- They have every right to vote absentee.
- They have every right to vote absentee.
- Do you think it when absentee is for our military?
- Absentee ballot in Franklin, I say to them, you know, request an absentee ballot. It's very simple.
Committee:
Senate Election Law and Municipal Affairs
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> absentee pilot project. absentee pilot project.
- </c> our our schools, chronic absenteeism. our our schools, chronic absenteeism.
- </c> learning time due to chronic absenteeism learning time due to chronic absenteeism critically<01:
- Chronic absenteeism<01:04:51.599><c> absenteeism</c><01:04:52.400><c> is</c><01:04:52.559><c> defined
- </c><01:04:52.880><c> by</c> absenteeism absenteeism is defined by absenteeism absenteeism is defined
Committee:
House Education Finance
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- The chronic absenteeism issue that Mr.
- There are 240 schools with 50% higher chronic absenteeism rates.
- The reason we're here is because our chronic absenteeism rates doubled.
- </c> chart is because chronic absenteeism chart is because chronic absenteeism compiles<00:15:15.639>
- Thank you. ...and how it impacts absenteeism.
Committee:
House Education Policy
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- It is requiring a voter to provide identification when requesting an absentee ballot.
- photo identification along with their absentee ballot application.
- </c><02:22:00.080><c> ballot</c> person eligible for an absentee ballot person eligible for an absentee
- </c> a absentee a absentee ballot ballot ballot um<02:26:24.560><c> and</c><02:26:24.920><c> the</c><
- </c> um for for absentee um for for absentee ballots<02:33:49.200><c> the</c> Act of<02:33:56.479><c>
Committee:
House Election Law
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 3/19/25
Elections Finance and Government Operations
Transcript Highlights:
- ballot application in to be able to get an absentee ballot before that window.
- ballot application in to be able to get an absentee ballot before that window.
- ballot application in to be able to get an absentee ballot before that window.
- ballot application in to be able to get an absentee ballot before that window.
- Sections 3 and 4 on pages 4 and 5 relate to the permanent absentee voter list.
MS
Transcript Highlights:
- But the goal of this bill as a vehicle is to get rid of the absentee ballot envelopes.
- So what we absentee ballot envelopes.
- Um but no, how absentee ballots are now.
- </c> that are doing this in-person absentee that are doing this in-person absentee voting<00:18:02.080
- </c> 22 days for the in-person absentee 22 days for the in-person absentee ballot,<00:21:13.200><c> they
Committee:
Joint Elections
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on SF3045 5/13/25
Transcript Highlights:
- This relates to the retention of uniform and overseas absentee voting ballots.
- This relates to the retention of uniform and overseas absentee voting ballots.
- This relates to the retention of uniform and overseas absentee voting ballots.
- This relates to the retention of uniform and overseas absentee voting ballots.
- </c> the middle of an absentee the middle of an absentee uh<00:09:40.959><c> voting</c><00:09:41.279>
Summary:
The State and Local Government and Elections Conference Committee met on May 13, 2025, to adopt agreed-upon provisions from the elections article. The chair noted they initially lacked a quorum on both sides, but later confirmed quorum was present. Members and staff walked through a grid of proposed sections, covering voter registration and student proof-of-residence rules, public voter information list deadlines, electronic rosters for combined polling places, absentee ballot procedures, candidate filing and ballot preparation notices, write-in candidate timelines, municipal boundary adjustments, emergency polling place signage, county election training, special election filing periods for legislative vacancies, school district election timing, voting system testing, town elections, hospital board elections, and repeal of the voting equipment grant account.
Several items were described as technical or clarifying changes, including wording fixes, consistency edits, and updated effective dates, with many provisions set to take effect January 1, 2026. One item, line 15, involving a cannabis-related provision, was set aside because an amendment had not been posted and printed in time; members agreed to take it up later. The committee also discussed a mix of House-only and Senate-only provisions, including third-party presidential electors, phonetic spelling on affidavits of candidacy, notification of ballot preparers when candidate names change, emergency polling place procedures, training requirements, and rules for temporary polling places on tribal land.
After the staff walkthrough and brief questions, Vice Chair Aldenorf moved to adopt the provisions in the document titled “Elections Provisions Proposed Sections for Adoptions, May 13, 2025,” excluding line 15, and include them in the conference committee report. The motion passed on a voice vote with no opposition recorded. The committee then adjourned, with members noting that work on remaining elections provisions could continue afterward.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 3/18/26 - Evening Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:38:06.880><c> voting</c> 1, is 5 days after absentee voting 1, is 5 days after absentee voting
- So, if you're already doing it, then just do it before you mail out the absentee ballots.
- So, if you're already doing it, then just do it before you mail out the absentee ballots.
- Remove, you know, verifying and removing and not sending out absentee ballots.
- </c> before you send out the absentee before you send out the absentee ballots
Summary:
The committee first took up HF 2526 and received a walkthrough of the DE1 amendment from nonpartisan staff. The amendment revised the bill’s gift and ethics provisions by defining local government and public safety officer, narrowing covered mental health or wellness services to those provided by a qualified mental health professional and tied to recovery from a traumatic event, excluding luxury services or events as determined by the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board, and allowing local governments to adopt additional gift restrictions. It also added a bribery-related provision for gifts made with intent to influence a public safety officer. Members noted the language had been worked on by Representatives Duran, Vernig, and Freiberg, and the DE1 was adopted unanimously. HF 2526, as amended, then passed to the floor on a voice vote.
The committee then turned to HF 3722, which would remove deceased voters from the state voter registration system. The bill author argued that deceased voters should not remain on the rolls and that removing them would clean up the voter list. Secretary of State staff testified in opposition, saying deceased voters are already kept in a separate deceased status, not on active rolls, and that retaining the record helps flag suspicious activity and preserves voter history in case of administrative error. A second testifier described a real case in which a deceased voter’s retained record helped election officials identify and investigate a fraudulent ballot. After discussion, the committee tabled HF 3722.
Finally, the committee heard HF 3723, which would require additional verification for absentee ballot applications and permanent absentee voters. Supporters said the bill would help ensure ballots are not sent to people who have died or moved out of state. Secretary of State staff opposed the bill, saying most voters are already verified at registration, that the proposed checks would duplicate existing procedures, and that additional verification could create delays or false rejections. A testifier also objected to the bill’s effective date, saying it would take effect only days after absentee voting begins. The sponsor argued that voters remain on the permanent list indefinitely and that periodic verification is needed because people move or die; the committee did not reach a final vote in the portion provided.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><02:01:52.719><c> ballot</c> if you go in and requ an absentee ballot if you go in and requ an absentee
- </c><02:02:51.480><c> valid</c> we apply for an absentee valid we apply for an absentee valid unfortunately
- Senate Bill 214 would enable no-excuse absentee voting.
- who need to vote by absentee ballot.
- who need to vote by absentee ballot.