Committee backs bill requiring notaries who notarize many absentee ballots to submit logs

The House Elections Committee approved a committee substitute for House Bill 2191 that would require anyone notarizing more than 20 absentee ballots in an election to turn in a copy of the log they are already required to keep. Representative Wolffley presented the PCS and said the bill’s requirement is to have notaries submit the list they maintain.

Questions from committee members focused on the origin of the 20-ballot threshold and whether the bill represents a new burden. Representative Dallins asked why the number 20 was chosen; Wolffley said the figure is in current statute. Committee members and the State Election Board secretary recounted the historical reason for the limit: an Adair County case in which a notary public notarized absentee ballots and related fraud was later prosecuted. The secretary said the 20-ballot cap was adopted by the legislature in response to that case.

The State Election Board secretary described how the existing statute operates and said the current limit required county election board permission to notarize more than 20 ballots; the PCS would add a requirement that those notarizing more than 20 turn in the list they keep. Committee members also asked whether the bill as written would impose civil penalties or criminal sanctions for accidental overages; the sponsor and secretary said the current draft applies to cases in which a person requests permission to notarize more than 20 and that the statute focuses on willful and intentional violations.

After questions and without extended debate, the committee recorded a 5–1 vote in favor of the PCS and the chairman declared the bill passed out of committee.