Date: 04/22/2015

Final
BILL SUMMARY for HB15-1354

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS, & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
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12:55 PM -- HB15-1354

Representative Moreno, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 15-1354. The bill makes numerous changes concerning voters and political parties in primary elections. The bill permits an unaffiliated elector to vote in the primary election of a major political party without affiliating with that political party. An unaffiliated eligible elector may, but is not required to, declare a political party affiliation when an elector wishes to vote in a primary election. The bill requires that all political parties in the primary election place their candidates on a single combined ballot to be used by unaffiliated electors that contains the names of all candidates from all political parties. Names and political affiliations of candidates must be clearly and conspicuously segregated. The bill also permits a political party to change from the nomination of candidates by primary election to the nomination of candidates by convention for all offices. The bill also permits a minor political party to prohibit unaffiliated voters from voting in the party's primary election. A minor political party must inform the Secretary of State of the prohibition prior to the primary election.

The bill requires the notice mailed to voters in advance of a mail ballot primary election to advise eligible electors who are not affiliated with a political party of their ability to vote in the primary election of any one political party. The bill also allows for the cancellation of a party primary election if there are no contested races on the ballot.


01:00 PM

Representative Moreno distributed and discussed amendment L.001 (Attachment A). He responded to questions from the committee.

15HouseState0422AttachA.pdf15HouseState0422AttachA.pdf

01:16 PM -- Anne Wilseck, representing the Colorado Democratic Party, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Wilseck expressed her opinion that political parties serve a crucial role in the democratic process. She indicated that the bill would weaken the parties. She stated that the bill is unnecessary because temporary affiliation is simple and easy to undo.

01:20 PM -- Charles Ward, representing the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Ward read the written statement of Kelly Brough (Attachment B). He responded to questions from the committee. He also distributed the testimony of Tom Clark (Attachment C).

15HouseState0422AttachB.pdf15HouseState0422AttachB.pdf 15HouseState0422AttachC.pdf15HouseState0422AttachC.pdf

01:28 PM -- Michael Karlik, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Karlik expressed his opinion that the election system should serve the people, not the parties.


01:30 PM

The chair announced that the bill would be laid over for action only. The committee adjourned.