SB 267

Currently, the voters of each ward vote at the same polling place, which is

generally separate from other polling places in a municipality. Election returns are

reported by ward unless otherwise authorized by law. Currently, no later than 60

days before each September primary and general election, and no later than 30 days

before each other election, the governing body of a municipality may combine two or

more wards for voting purposes to permit the use of a common polling place. In

municipalities with a population of 35,000 or more, a municipality must continue to

report all election returns by ward even where wards are combined for voting

purposes at a single location. Other municipalities may report returns for combined

wards together unless a separate ballot is required in a partisan election, in which

case separate returns must be reported for the offices listed on each separate ballot

so that the results of the various elections may be determined.

This bill permits any municipality that combines wards for voting purposes,

regardless of population, to report returns only for combined wards unless a separate

ballot is required in a partisan or nonpartisan election, in which case the

municipality must report separate results for the offices listed on each separate

ballot.