Thursday, December 28, 2017

Electionline Weekly Dec-28-2017


Legislative Updates

Federal Legislation: A Bipartisan Coalition of Senator introduced a Bill that would authorize Block Grants for States to upgrade outdated Voted Technology. It would also create a Program for an Independent Panel of Experts to develop Cybersecurity Guidelines for Election Systems. The Legislation aims to expedite the process by which State Officials receive Security Clearances necessary to Review Sensitive Threat information and instructs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and other Federal Entities to more quickly share this information with relevant State Officials.

Florida: The Volusia County Council recently updated the Employee Rulebook including eliminating the Two-Hour Voting window for County Employees. Human Resources Director Tom Motes said Voting today is easier than it was in 1981, when the Original Rules were drafted, and that’s why Volusia made its Policy more in line with Seminole and Hillsborough Counties. “We don’t have people who want to take off two hours, to go vote, and we wouldn’t even know if they were voting,” Motes said. “I remember when the polls were open one day, Election Day. You needed a rule like that. Tell me who can’t get to the polls today? If someone can’t vote in today’s world, they don’t want to vote.”

Kansas: Sedgwick County Commissioners are asking State Lawmakers to review a Law that requires both Voters with Disabilities and a Person helping them Cast their Mail Ballot to Sign the Affidavit in order for it to be Valid. Seniors and Voters with Disabilities casting their Ballot at the Polling Place or from their Car at Polling Places are not required to Sign.

Legal Updates

North Dakota: Attorneys representing several Members of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa have filed a New Complaint challenging Voter ID Law. The Amended Complaint asks a Federal Judge to declare House Bill 1369, relating to qualifications of Electors, responsibilities of Election Officials before issuing Ballots, Elector Identification Requirements, and Identification Cards, Unconstitutional and Prevent it from being Implemented, arguing that it Violates the National Voting Rights Act. The Bill, sponsored by Republican Lawmakers, was Signed into Law by Gov. Doug Burgum in late April.

Utah: U.S. District Judge Robert Shelby has handed down New Voting Districts in San Juan County a year after He declared the former Boundaries Unconstitutional and Discriminatory against Native American Voters. County Commissioner Phil Lyman says the County Plans to Appeal.









NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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