HR1 gives states an option to not verify absentee or mail-in ballot signatures. | Adobe Stock
HR1 gives states an option to not verify absentee or mail-in ballot signatures. | Adobe Stock
The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation overriding state voting requirements by eliminating the need for residents to provide ID at either voting booths or before sending mail-in ballots, a statement said.
If approved by Senate, HR1, commonly known as the "For the People Law of 2021," would allow voters to sign affidavits rather than providing photo ID proof. Essentially, the measure would federalize control of the elections, including at the local level.
"A state may not require notarization or witness signature or other formal authentication (other than voter attestation) as a condition of obtaining or casting an absentee ballot," the bill states.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Connecticut does not accept postmarked ballots after election day. By State law, they must arrive before the polls close on election day in order to be counted.
Sections 1621-1624 of HR1 would give states the option to not verify signatures on absentee or mail-in ballots. It also makes rejecting a questionable voter signature harder, as no fewer than two electoral judges must be present to approve the rejections.
The bipartisan Commission on Federal Election Reform concluded that “absentee ballots remain the largest source of potential voter fraud,” and that the widespread use of those types of ballots "increases the risks of fraud and of contested elections," according to the National Review.
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