03/02/1993 08:00 AM House STA

  HB 47:  ABSENTEE BALLOTS - PRIMARY ELECTIONS                                 
                                                                               
  Number 613                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY read the title of HB 47 and asked                             
  Representative Sanders for an overview or sectional analysis                 
  of the bill.                                                                 
                                                                               
  Number 626                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE JERRY SANDERS explained the committee                         
  substitute (CS) to HB 47 did not remove or alter the intent                  
  of HB 47, but provided authorization for a political party                   
  to adopt a rule, and brought state law into conformity with                  
  a Supreme Court decision.                                                    
                                                                               
  Number 650                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE ULMER asked for more detail on the changes to                 
  HB 47.                                                                       
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE SANDERS suggested calling his aide, Elizabeth                 
  Bellinghiri, who helped draft CSHB 47.                                       
                                                                               
  Number 655                                                                   
                                                                               
  ELIZABETH BELLINGHIRI, LEGISLATIVE AIDE TO REPRESENTATIVE                    
  JERRY SANDERS, outlined changes made to HB 47, including the                 
  acknowledgement that political parties may make their own                    
  rules in a primary and, in the event of a party rule                         
  conflicting with statute, the statute would fall.  She also                  
  noted the change in terminology from "open primary" ballot                   
  to "statutory" ballot, in order to conform to language used                  
  by the Department of Elections.  In addition, Ms.                            
  Bellinghiri also noted the necessity to amend CSHB 47 to                     
  bring it into compliance with 42 U.S. code.                                  
                                                                               
  TAPE 93-24, SIDE B                                                           
  Number 084                                                                   
                                                                               
  MS. BELLINGHIRI also explained the need to push back the                     
  time to implement CSHB 47, saying voters throughout the                      
  state, especially those in remote locations, would need to                   
  be educated about the new procedure.                                         
                                                                               
  Number 091                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE BETTYE DAVIS asked if the Department of                       
  Elections had switched its position with regard to HB 47.                    
                                                                               
  Number 093                                                                   
                                                                               
  MS. BELLINGHIRI explained the Department of Elections had                    
  indeed changed its position, and now supported CSHB 47.                      
                                                                               
  Number 100                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE ULMER expressed concern that the average                      
  voter might have problems with the change in terminology                     
  from "open ballot" to "statutory ballot."  She asked if the                  
  ballot would be modeled after the current Republican primary                 
  ballot.                                                                      
                                                                               
  Number 117                                                                   
                                                                               
  MS. BELLINGHIRI explained ballots would be labeled as                        
  directed by the parties.  She also explained the logic                       
  behind changing the terminology.                                             
                                                                               
  Number 149                                                                   
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE ULMER reaffirmed her concerns. She suggested                  
  finding a new term for the non-closed ballot.                                
                                                                               
  Number 170                                                                   
                                                                               
  MS. BELLINGHIRI discussed the possibility of placing all                     
  parties on a single ballot, even though one party's primary                  
  might be "closed."                                                           
                                                                               
  Number 190                                                                   
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN VEZEY noted the need to revise language involving                   
  submission of the new rules to the U.S. Department of                        
  Justice, and announced HB 47 would be held over.