Reps. BRAWLEY, HENEGAN, COBB-HUNTER, KING, JEFFERSON, R. WILLIAMS, HOWARD, GARVIN, HENDERSON-MYERS, WEEKS, THIGPEN, S. WILLIAMS, BROWN, and MATTHEWS propose the following Amendment No. 2a to H. 5305 (COUNCIL\ZW\5305C006.CC.ZW20):

Reference is to Printer's Date 9/2/20-S.

Amend the bill, as and if amended, by adding an appropriately numbered SECTION to read:

/ SECTION ___. For purposes of the 2020 general election and notwithstanding another provision of law, the county boards of voter registration and elections may utilize secure drop boxes for the collection of lawfully completed and timely cast absentee ballots. As used in this SECTION, "drop box" means a secure, locked structure operated by county election officials where qualified electors may deliver their absentee ballots from the time they receive them in the mail up to the time polls close on election day. At least twice during each business day for the period prescribed by this SECTION in which absentee ballot drop boxes must be operational, authorized elections officials shall check all absentee ballot drop boxes in use in the county and collect the deposited absentee ballots. Moreover, if a county board of voter registration and elections utilizes absentee ballot drop boxes, the provisions of SECTION 4 of this act do not apply to absentee ballots deposited in an absentee ballot drop box. /