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.