Starting in 2027, voters can request recurring absentee ballot applications

A municipal clerk sends absentee ballot applications to electors who request them. An elector may ask the clerk in the municipality where the elector lives to send applications for that municipality’s elections, referendums, and primaries, if applicable. The elector must be active and eligible to vote in that election, primary, or referendum. The clerk removes an elector from automatic status if the elector asks in writing, is not on the active voter list, an application is returned as undeliverable, or the elector is placed on the inactive list. This provision takes effect July 1, 2027. Clerks send applications 90 days before each election, primary, or referendum, or as soon as practicable if that is earlier.

The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management prepares and updates a language access plan for state agencies. The plan covers state agencies and aims to improve access to public services and programs for people with limited English and people who need sign-language access. The plan sets priorities and phases for translated materials, spoken-language help, and sign-language access. Agencies need not translate existing forms before the deadlines or phases in the plan. The Secretary must develop the plan by January 1, 2027, update it at least every two years, and report on it by January 15, 2027, and annually after that.

Candidates for presidential elector sign a pledge to vote for the presidential and vice-presidential candidates named in their filing. The pledge applies to party-endorsed or party-affiliated candidates for presidential elector and to candidates who file without a party designation or register with a write-in presidential candidate. If a party’s presidential or vice-presidential nominee dies or withdraws under party rules before electors meet, the pledge applies to the party’s replacement nominee. An elector who votes against the pledge forfeits the position, and a replacement must sign a pledge to vote consistently with the elector being replaced. This provision takes effect October 1, 2026, and applies to the presidential electors’ meeting in December following their election.