If a national or local emergency or other situation arises which makes substantial compliance with the provisions of the federal Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act of 1986, as amended,¹ impossible or unreasonable, such as a natural disaster or an armed conflict involving United States Armed Forces, or mobilization of those forces, including National Guard and Reserve components, the Secretary of the State Election Board may prescribe special emergency procedures as may be necessary to facilitate absentee voting by those citizens directly affected who otherwise are eligible to vote in the state.