Legislature(1995 - 1996)
02/14/1995 03:40 PM Senate STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
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+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
SSTA - 2/14/95
SB 5 ELECTION BALLOTS
SENATOR SHARP brings up SB 5 as the next order of business before
the Senate State Affairs Committee and calls the first witness.
Number 425
PATRICIA GRENIER, Aide to Senator Kelly, prime sponsor of SB 5,
reads the sponsor statement.
Number 442
SENATOR LEMAN comments he was not even aware of the different
colored ballots until someone pointed it out to him. He thinks it
is probably a good idea to make some of the changes, but is not
sure it is a big problem.
Number 465
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS did not know it was a problem either. The
biggest problem he heard was a change in the location of a polling
place.
Number 475
CHAIRMAN SHARP asks if the difference between the original bill and
the proposed committee substitute is the deletion of section 4.
MS. GRENIER replies that is correct.
SENATOR LEMAN asks if there currently is a definition in statute on
"voting booth".
MS. GRENIER responds that there is already a definition in the
statute.
SENATOR LEMAN notices the statute is amended by adding a new
paragraph to read.... So that apparently was not in statute. New
paragraph 37. Which you've deleted. Because the other definitions
throughout are satisfactory.
(There is not currently a definition in statute on "voting booth".)
Number 490
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS makes a motion to adopt CSSB 5(STA) in lieu
of the original bill.
CHAIRMAN SHARP, hearing no objection, states the committee
substitute has been adopted.
Number 495
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS asks the chairman if he noticed problems in
his precinct with the curtains on the voting booths.
CHAIRMAN SHARP responds that there weren't problems in his
precinct: he helped put the curtains up. He did not hear of any
problems in the Fairbanks precincts. The only complaint he heard
regarded the different colored ballots.
Number 525
DAVID KOIVUNIEMI, Acting Director, Division of Elections, states he
is available to answer question. The division neither supports nor
opposes SB 5.
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS asks Mr. Koivuniemi if the division received
any complaints relating to the problems addressed by SB 5.
MR. KOIVUNIEMI replies the division did receive some complaints,
mainly from the Anchorage area. The problem with non-curtained
"blue suitcase" type voting booths did not occur for lack of
regulations. Set-up of voting booths is contracted out, and the
contract specifies that the vendor is responsible for an even mix
of different types of voting booths at each precinct. Mr.
Koivuniemi adds that the definition section was deleted because
there was a problem with the portion specifying voting booths must
be at least six feet tall: none of the handicapped polling booths
are six feet tall.
MR. KOIVUNIEMI states that, as far as the different colored
election ballots, Lieutenant Governor Ulmer wanted him to express
to the committee that she was not happy with the different colored
primary ballots. As far as she is concerned, that would never
happen during her regime. Mr. Koivuniemi shows a sample ballot to
the committee. The ballots are stapled to a backing, and the
Division of Elections could have a white ballot with different
colored backings. He does not know why the ballots were designed
differently during this last primary.
Number 562
SENATOR LEMAN asks if it is important that the ballot be on white
paper, or important that it be all one color.
MR. KOIVUNIEMI responds the importance is in having one color, but
that white is probably less expensive. He notes that ballots are
required to be printed on white paper for the general election.
Number 571
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS asks Mr. Koivuniemi which areas of Anchorage
had complaints.
MR. KOIVUNIEMI says he does not know, but can check with the
Anchorage supervisor. There were complaints from around the state
regarding the ballot color.
Number 579
SENATOR LEMAN offers amendment #1 to CSSB 5(STA).
Amendment #1: on page 2, line 17, delete the words, "as for the
general election ballot".
TAPE 95-5, SIDE B
SENATOR LEMAN...delete those six words. Senator Leman moves his
amendment.
CHAIRMAN SHARP repeats Senator Leman's amendment, which would leave
the language: "The director shall print the ballot on white paper
and place the names...".
CHAIRMAN SHARP asks if there is any objection to amendment #1.
Hearing no objection, amendment #1 has been adopted.
SENATOR RANDY PHILLIPS makes a motion to discharge SB 5 from the
Senate State Affairs Committee with individual recommendations.
CHAIRMAN SHARP, hearing no objection, orders SB 5 released from
committee with individual recommendations.
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