Legislature(2001 - 2002)
2002-01-23 House Journal
Full Journal pdf2002-01-23 House Journal Page 2040 HB 351 HOUSE BILL NO. 351 by the House Rules Committee by request of the Governor, entitled: 2002-01-23 House Journal Page 2041 "An Act creating the Alaska Youth Voter Corps and relating to that corps; authorizing the members of the corps to be appointed to serve on election boards; relating to qualifications for appointment to election boards; and providing for an effective date." was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs Committee. The following fiscal note(s) apply: 1. Zero, Office of the Governor 2. Zero, Dept. of Labor & Workforce Development The Governor's transmittal letter dated January 21, 2002, appears below: "Dear Speaker Porter: The Youth Voter Corps bill I am transmitting today presents us with a unique opportunity to enliven the interest of young people in the election process, and in their rights and responsibilities as citizens. Introduced at the request of Lt. Governor Fran Ulmer and the Alaska Democracy Project task force, this bill allows high school students to work at the polls during elections. The intent of the bill is threefold: · To increase young persons' awareness and interest in voting; · To allow for meaningful student involvement in elections; and · To relieve the shortage of election workers. Alaska Youth Voters Corps members, students age 16 or older, would be appointed and trained by an election supervisor and supervised by an elections board chairperson. The Ford-Carter Elections Commission supported this concept on a national level and almost a third of the states have legislation that allows for high school students to work at the polls. The bill also amends the qualifications for appointment to a precinct election board to remove the requirement that the appointee be 2002-01-23 House Journal Page 2042 registered to vote in that precinct. This change would allow a qualified voter in the state, regardless of which precinct the voter is registered in, to serve on any precinct's election board. This would give more flexibility to the election supervisor to find qualified candidates to serve this important function. I urge your prompt and favorable action on this measure. Sincerely, /s/ Tony Knowles Governor"