SB 303 - UNIFORM VOTER REGISTRATION SYSTEM Number 116 CHAIRMAN VEZEY opened SB 303 for discussion. CHAIRMAN VEZEY called for a recess at 8:55 a.m. The meeting resumed at 9:02 a.m. Number 120 LAURA GLAISER, ELECTIONS, OFFICE OF THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR, addressed SB 303. She referred to CHAIRMAN VEZEY's question about whether the legislature could change the law and go back to where a person would not have to register to vote for federal elections. Currently, Alaska state law only allows this to be done for the President. She answered Virginia Ragle, Assistant Attorney General, Department of Law, spoke with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and they again would not commit to whether they will allow the change or file suit. DOJ mentioned one state had gone back and changed the language of its laws so a person did not have to be registered for federal elections and made it retroactive to April 11, 1993, even though the change was just enacted. DOJ did not look on this favorably. Number 156 CHAIRMAN VEZEY said he questioned if it might be cheaper to go to a dual standard. He felt the federal government was trying to use the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA) of 1993 to tell Alaska how to regulate federal elections, which they do not have the authority to do outside of court authority. Number 183 MS. GLAISER responded she felt the Lt. Governor viewed NVRA as it was directed to the Division of Elections. She stated it is extremely expensive to have two dual systems, therefore CHAIRMAN VEZEY was correct is assuming the federal government is forcing Alaska to accept that which they want for the federal government laws. She noted it is easier to conform state law to pick up the provisions in NVRA. Number 197 CHAIRMAN VEZEY clarified it would be easier to remove the requirements for registration for federal elections as we currently do with presidential elections. Number 199 MS. GLAISER said correct; however, NVRA says the state cannot do that. She noted one state has tried to go retroactive and that another has just tried to change that provision. DOJ is still not committing as to how they would pursue these changes; however, they gave the impression that a lawsuit would ensue. Number 207 CHAIRMAN VEZEY stated the next federal election would be November 1996. He questioned if Alaska should be in a rush to resolve this problem. Number 213 MS. GLAISER replied the only rush is that Alaska is supposed to be in compliance with NVRA by January 1, 1995. Compliance by 1995 would ensure the federal election in 1996 would be working under NVRA. Number 226 CHAIRMAN VEZEY said due to a lack of a quorum the committee could not take action on SB 303. He stated parts of SB 303 strike him as strange. He wondered how the courts would look upon a law that said it is legal to do something if it was on the books before a certain date, but it is not legal if it was not. CHAIRMAN VEZEY held SB 303 in committee. Number 241 REPRESENTATIVE G. DAVIS related to additional work caused by the mandates in federal laws and asked if there has been an extension on the January 1, 1995, deadline. MS. GLAISER replied January 1, 1995, is the only date they were given. No extension has been granted. Number 260 REPRESENTATIVE G. DAVIS inquired, should Alaska not be in compliance, what additional cost might be incurred to the Division of Elections relating to question ballots or a lawsuit by a voter. Has the cost of elections increased substantially as the population has increased. MS. GLAISER answered she was not aware of the cost of elections or question ballots increasing as the population increases. She felt SB 303 would not change this. The question ballot is important because it is considered a "fail safe" within federal law. Number 280 CHAIRMAN VEZEY asked for MS. GLAISER to prepare some of the information she received from Virginia Ragle so as a report might be added to the file.