Legislature(1995 - 1996)
1995-05-13 Senate Journal
Full Journal pdf1995-05-13 Senate Journal Page 1804 SB 182 SENATE BILL NO. 182 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled: "An Act relating to elections; relating to the division of elections; relating to voter registration procedures; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance Committees. Zero fiscal note published today from Office of the Governor. Governor's transmittal letter dated May 12: Dear President Pearce: Under the authority of art. III, sec. 18, of the Alaska Constitution, I am transmitting a bill that implements most of the proposals contained in my Administration's Election Policy Transition Team Report that require changes to existing law. In addition, the bill makes some changes to state law that are required by federal statutes and makes a number of "housekeeping" amendments that the division of elections has recommended. It is apparent that the state needs to adjust elections policies and procedures in an effort to boost public confidence that Alaska elections are conducted fairly and efficiently. One of Lieutenant Governor Ulmer's first acts was to appoint a panel of respected Alaskans (the Election Policy Transition Team), most of whom have expertise in the area of elections, to look into state elections policies and to make recommendations for change. In deciding whether a change is warranted, the transition team was requested to ask the following questions about the change: 1995-05-13 Senate Journal Page 1805 SB 182 - Does it increase public trust? - Does it provide better service to the public? -Does it encourage participation in the electoral process? - Does it reduce state spending? On March20, 1995, the lieutenant governor released the report of the panel to the public. The report is a thorough and thoughtful document, and contains many excellent suggestions for improving elections policy. Several important recommendations were included in SB 5, which recently passed the legislature. I am pleased to be able to transmit this bill, which implements the rest of those suggestions. Section 13 of the bill simplifies the process of absentee voting by personal representative for a voter with a disability, a process that is currently very burdensome for both the voter and the personal representative and that discourages this sort of absentee voting. A personal representative now must make several trips between the voter and election officials in order for a voter with a disability to use this method of voting. Section13 would streamline the procedure, allowing the personal representative to accomplish in a single round trip all of the steps necessary to allow a voter with a disability to vote. In addition, sec. 13 of the bill makes several changes required by federal law. It removes the current prohibition on a candidate acting as a personal representative, and it adds a provision prohibiting a voter's employer, an agent of the employer, or an officer or agent of the voter's union, from acting as the voter's personal representative. It also removes the current requirement that a voter's ballot application under this section be accompanied by a letter or statement regarding the voter's disability from a physician or from two qualified voters. Instead, the voter's personal representative will supply a statement regarding the voter's disability. 1995-05-13 Senate Journal Page 1806 SB 182 Sections 30 and 31 of the bill double the fees that must be paid by candidates and parties filing material for inclusion in the official election pamphlet. These fees have not been changed since 1980. Even with the doubled fees, the cost of producing the pamphlet will be approximately 10 times the amount collected in fees. Section 32 repeals a provision (AS15.05.040), enacted in 1960 and not changed since, regarding voter disqualification for unsound mind. That provision is inconsistent with the federal Americans with Disabilities Act and with state statutes on guardianship. Section 33 of the bill authorizes a pilot program for voting by mail, in the 1996 primary and general elections, in small rural precincts (those with no more than 200 registered voters). Under current law, the elections director may conduct an election by mail only if the election is held at a time other than when a primary, general, or municipal election is held. Based on the experience of other states that have used mail balloting, the transition team believes that allowing voting by mail in rural precincts will increase turnout, save money, and eliminate operational problems. Section 33 of the bill authorizes the director to conduct this voluntary pilot program in the 1996 primary and general elections in no more than 10 precincts, to test the application of this program in Alaska. The remaining sections of the bill, except for the effective date section, were recommended by the division of elections either to conform the elections statutes to current practices or to enable the division to conduct elections more efficiently and effectively. Representatives of my Administration will be available as the bill makes its way through the legislative process to explain what the provisions of this bill would accomplish, how they change existing law, and why the changes are necessary. I would appreciate your assistance in facilitating the consideration and passage of this bill. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor