Legislature(2017 - 2018)BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)
03/21/2017 03:30 PM Senate COMMUNITY & REGIONAL AFFAIRS
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| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| SB77 | |
| SB18 | |
| HB7 | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 8 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | SB 77 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| *+ | SB 18 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | HB 7 | TELECONFERENCED | |
HB 7-MARKED BALLOT PHOTOS; PERSUASION AT POLLS
4:41:11 PM
CHAIR BISHOP announced consideration of HB 7, sponsored by
Representative Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins.
4:42:04 PM
ALICIA NORTON, Intern for Representative Jonathan Kreiss-
Tomkins, Alaska State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, introduced
herself.
REID MAGDANZ, staff to Representative Kreiss-Tomkins, Alaska
State Legislature, Juneau, Alaska, introduced himself and said
he was here to backup Alicia on the introduction of HB 7.
MS. NORTON said currently it's illegal to take a photo or a
photo with yourself with your marked ballot. These are commonly
known as "ballot selfies." HB 7 just aims to legalize the
ability to take and share a photo of your marked ballot. Section
1 was adopted in the House Community and Regional Affairs
Committee, after members raised concerns were raised about
sharing a ballot photo in the polling place or within 200 feet
of the polling place. Taking a photo of your marked ballot with
a phone and then physically displaying the photo to someone
within that line is illegal and section 1 confirms that.
She explained that historically, ballot photo sharing has been
prohibited to prevent voter intimidation, but as times have
changed - with social media and the internet - sharing photos is
just a way to communicate or share what you like or enjoy.
Taking a photo of your marked ballot or with your marked ballot
is just another way to communicate support for a candidate or a
cause, or simply asking others to vote.
MS. NORTON said this law is not heavily enforced in Alaska and
there haven't been any court cases. Courts in Indiana and New
Hampshire have ruled that banning ballot selfie use violates the
first amendment. She said HB 7 would also provide the Division
of Elections some relief as they receive many phone calls every
election asking if ballot selfies are legal, and HB 7 would give
them the ability to actually say "yes."
She related that a House member proposed a floor amendment that
tightened the language on prohibiting someone from forcing
someone else to show a photo of their marked ballot, and it was
voted down. The sponsor was indifferent to it, because it just
closed some loopholes, but they are more than happy to have it
explored further in the Senate.
SENATOR MACKINNON asked where the bill allows a selfie.
4:46:28 PM
MS. NORTON said it was referenced in Section 3 (b)(2).
4:46:56 PM
At ease
4:47:26 PM
CHAIR BISHOP called the meeting back to order. He found no
questions or public testimony. He closed public testimony on HB
7 and held the bill for further consideration.