1997-04-22                     Senate Journal                      Page 1414
                  INTRODUCTION AND REFERENCE OF SENATE BILLS                 
                                                                               
SB 183                                                                       
SENATE BILL NO. 183 BY THE SENATE RULES COMMITTEE                              
BY REQUEST OF THE GOVERNOR, entitled:                                          
                                                                               
An Act relating to voter qualification,                                       
disqualification, and registration; to voter                                   
registration officials; to election notices; to                                
mail elections; to certain voting procedures; to                               
the transportation of ballots; and to the official                             
election pamphlet and certain immunity from                                    
liability regarding claims arising from                                        
publication of the official election pamphlet.                                 
                                                                               
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs and Finance          
Committees.                                                                    
                                                                               
Fiscal note published today from Office of the Governor.                       
                                                                               
Governors transmittal letter dated April 18:                                   
                                                                               
Dear President Miller:                                                         
                                                                               
This bill I am transmitting amends the state election code to instill          
higher voter confidence in the election process and provide greater            
voter access to ensure maximum turnout at the polls.                           
                                                                               
This legislation proposes to change the election process in Regional           
Educational Attendance Areas (REAA) and Coastal Resource Service               
Areas (CRSA) by conducting elections through the mail.  This is                
expected to increase voter turnout, which has historically been low            
in these areas.  In 1996, average turnout for REAA elections was 35            
percent; for CRSA it was 40 percent.  Under this bill, the Division            
of Elections will mail a ballot to all eligible voters in these areas          
about three weeks prior to the election.                                       
                                                                               
In the 1996 general election, 513 voters participated in the electoral         
process through absentee voting by personal representative.  Fifteen           
percent of these voters ballots were rejected.  This legislation will          
make the process less time consuming, less confusing and provide               
for better accountability.