2001-03-19                     House Journal                      Page 0647
HB 193                                                                                            
HOUSE BILL NO. 193 by the House Rules Committee by request of                                       
the Governor, entitled:                                                                             
                                                                                                    
     "An Act relating to the primary election; and providing for an                                 
     effective date."                                                                               
                                                                                                    
was read the first time and referred to the State Affairs, Judiciary, and                           
Finance Committees.                                                                                 
                                                                                                    
The following fiscal note(s) apply:                                                                 
                                                                                                    
1.  Fiscal, Office of the Governor                                                                  
                                                                                                    
The Governor's transmittal letter dated March 15, 2001, appears                                     
below:                                                                                              

2001-03-19                     House Journal                      Page 0648
"Dear Speaker Porter:                                                                               
                                                                                                    
The United States Supreme Court decision California Democratic                                    
Party v. Jones requires states to recognize a political party's First                             
Amendment rights in determining which voters may participate in                                     
nominating its party candidates for placement on general election                                   
ballots.  This bill that I transmit today implements the findings of the                            
primary election task force that the lieutenant governor convened to                                
respond to this court decision.                                                                     
                                                                                                    
The bill requires political parties to notify the division of elections by                          
September 1 of the year preceding a primary election if they choose to                              
not participate in a blanket primary.  If a party fails to submit its party                         
primary preference to the division of elections by this deadline, the                               
party's candidates will appear on the blanket primary ballot.                                       
                                                                                                    
The bill provides for the primary ballot to be designed as a blanket                                
ballot.  However, if a political party chooses to exclude voters not                                
registered with its party from participating in their primary election,                             
then a ballot listing appropriate candidates would be prepared for that                             
party.                                                                                              
                                                                                                    
It is important to all Alaska voters that the legislature adopts a new                              
primary election system this session, in time to conduct the next                                   
primary election in an orderly and efficient manner consistent with this                            
court decision.                                                                                     
                                                                                                    
                                Sincerely,                                                         
                                /s/                                                                 
                                Tony Knowles                                                        
                                 Governor"