Legislature(1993 - 1994)
02/18/1993 08:00 AM House STA
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* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
HB 49: ABSENTEE BALLOTING BY FAX Number 199 CHAIRMAN VEZEY read the title of HB 49 and asked Representative Kott to submit his information on the bill. Number 209 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT stated he had a working draft of a CS to HB 49. Number 218 CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked to start the discussions concerning the working draft, and stated the CS must be adopted before it could be passed out of committee. The intention would be to revise the draft in committee, therefore, it would be premature to adopt it, he said. Number 234 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT stated major changes in the draft CS were to accommodate Alaskans living overseas. The same did not apply to Alaskans residing in the Lower 48, he said, and noted there was a mail service problem, which meant it took longer than domestic mail. Ballots mailed must be postmarked by the appropriate date, he added, and pointed out there was a time provision in statute. The most expeditious mail service was overnight mail, which costs $8, he said. Number 333 MS. THICKSTUN stated the Division did not want to pay out a lot for postage. She preferred to see priority mail used. Number 364 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT felt they could discriminate between those in the U.S. and overseas. Number 386 CHAIRMAN VEZEY stated three questions: "1) Is a qualified voter defined anywhere? 2) Are we extending this right to military and additional persons overseas? And, 3) what is the monitor process on the other end?" REPRESENTATIVE KOTT, in response to the first question, stated designations from existing statutes had not been restricted Number 419 CHAIRMAN VEZEY understood one could not just go to any fax machine and cast a ballot. MS. THICKSTUN disagreed. She said, "You could, but you would have your signature compared with the hard copy previously sent." Number 457 REPRESENTATIVE ULMER questioned whether or not forgery would occur, and asked if the Division was comfortable with this process. Number 474 CHAIRMAN VEZEY restated MS. THICKSTUN'S testimony, and added absentee ballots required witnesses. Number 505 REPRESENTATIVE KOTT stated it would work like checks and balances, with potential compromises likely, but that the right to vote outweighed those compromises. Number 535 CHAIRMAN VEZEY stated the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (section 104, page 6) required an oath administered by an officer. It was his understanding that an official needed to verify the identity of the person casting a ballot. Number 557 REPRESENTATIVE ULMER agreed there should be verification. Number 563 MS. THICKSTUN added every absentee ballot contained an oath and witness policy. Number 573 REPRESENTATIVE ULMER MOVED to AMEND HB 49 so there were officials present when a ballot was being cast. She also asked for Ms. Thickstun's input. Number 613 MS. THICKSTUN stated her duty to work on HB 49 for overseas Alaskans, and stressed the importance of the bill to accommodate those who needed it. Number 663 CHAIRMAN VEZEY stated it would be addressed in statute and announced the committee would work with Representative Kott on that. ADJOURNMENT Number 692 CHAIRMAN VEZEY adjourned the meeting at 8:49 a.m.
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