The Independent View: Electionline Weekly June-27-2019

Legislative Updates

Arizona: The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors have Approved a $6.1 Million Contract to Update the County’s Vote-Counting system. The Board also Approved the Creation of a New Position, an Executive Director of Elections, that will Report the Board and the County Recorder.

California: The Assembly Elections and Redistricting Committee has approved ACA 6 by a 6 to 1 Vote. Under the Proposed Legislation Californians would Vote on an Amendment that would allow those Still on Parole to Regain their Right to Vote.

Delaware: Legislators in The First State are considering a Bill that would Drop the Requirement that Voters provide an Excuse before being able to Cast an Absentee Ballot.

Georgia: Georgia Lawmakers are looking into the possibility of Allowing some Non-Violent Felony Offenders to Vote. The “Senate Study Committee on Revising Voting Rights for Nonviolent Felony Offenders” will Review the Current Law and how it affects “reintegrating persons back into society,” according to a Release from the State Senate.

Hawaii: Gov. David Ige (D) has Signed the All-Mail Elections Bill into Law as well as an Automatic Recount Bill.

Massachusetts: Secretary of the Commonwealth William Galvin and Attorney General Maura Healey spoke to Legislators about a Bill that would Allow for Same-Day Registration.

Michigan: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer (D) has Signed Senate Bill 150 into Law which includes $2.5 Million for the Secretary of State’s Office to Implement Parts of the Voter-Approved Proposal 3. The Bill includes $750,000 to Implement Automatic Voter Registration, $750,000 for Education and Training, $1 Million for an Absentee Counter Voting Board, and $500,000 for Technology Costs.

New Hampshire: The Senate is considering a Bill that would End The Granite State’s Participation in the Interstate Voter Registration Crosscheck. HB 315, which Repeals New Hampshire’s Participation in Crosscheck, does Not specify a Replacement, nor does it Mandate the Secretary of State even Participate in any Voter Verification Program.

New York: The Legislature has Approved a Bill that would Include the Public Colleges, of SUNY and CUNY Systems, as Voter Registration Locations under the State’s Motor Voter Law.

North Carolina: The House has Unanimously Approved HB 19 which would Allow Counties to continue to use DRE Voting Machines through the Next General Election in 2019. The Current Deadline to Switch to a Paper-based system is December 2019. The Bill gives Local Elections Officials the Option of Asking the State Board of Elections for a Reprieve in Purchasing New Equipment.

Rhode Island: By a Unanimous Vote, the House has Approved moving the State’s Primary to the Eighth Tuesday before the General Election which would finally bring Rhode Island in Compliance with Federal Election Laws that Require The Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) Ballots to be Mailed 45 days Before a Federal Election.

The Legislature is considering a Bill supported by the State Board of Elections that would place Restrictions on Write-In Votes. If approved, State and Local Boards would Only be Required to Tally Write-In Votes for Individuals who filed their Notices of Intent in Advance.

Legal Updates

Arizona: The Arizona Libertarian Party is asking the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to determine how the Vacancy left by Sen. John McCain will be filled. The Plaintiffs want the Court to Order a Special Election to fill the Seat.

Colorado: Gunnison County District Court Judge D. Cory Jackson has Ruled that a Lower Court Erred when it found Marie Rossmiller Guilty of the Misdemeanor Charge of Voting in the Wrong Precinct. He has sent the Case back to the Lower Court for a New Verdict.

Indiana: The National Election Defense Coalition is Suing Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson alleging she’s Violated State Law in Denying Public Record Requests since September for her Communications about Election Security with the National Association of Secretaries of State. The Coalition Argues that Lawson’s Public Statements have Downplayed the Vulnerability of Election systems.

Iowa: Arguments began in Polk County District Court over House File 516 which was Approved in 2017. The Law was intended to “modernize election procedures and, with respect to voter verification, ensure the integrity of and instill public confidence in all elections in this state,” Matthew Gannon, an Assistant Attorney General, said during Opening Statements. Bruce Spiva, an Attorney Representing the Plaintiffs, said during Opening Statements that the Law “erects significant barriers,” particularly for Voters who are Young, Elderly, Poor, Lacking Education, Minorities, Women, and Democrats. “There is no crisis that required this measure,” Spiva said. “The state should not put unnecessary hurdles in front of the ballot box.”

Mississippi: Former Canton City Clerk Valerie Smith has pleaded Guilty to Violation of Voter Registration Statues. She received One year of Probation and was Ordered to Pay a Fine to the County.

New Jersey: A Federal Grand Jury has Convicted longtime Hoboken Political Frank Raia of Vote-by-Mail Fraud in Connection to the 2013 Municipal Elections.