Date: 01/23/2006

Final
BILL SUMMARY for SB06-062

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE, VETERANS & MILITARY AFFAIRS

Votes: View--> Action Taken:
Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment C). The motion
Refer SB06-062, as amended, to the Committee of th		Pass Without Objection
PASS



02:25 PM -- Senate Bill 06-062

Senator Taylor reviewed the provisions of Senate Bill 06-062, concerning the electronic voting of overseas, uniformed service members. He distributed and discussed a potential amendment L.001 (Attachment C) that would require that the elector be serving outside of the United States.

02:27 PM -- The following persons testified on the bill:

02:28 PM -- Secretary of State Dennis spoke in favor of the bill saying that this legislative request was made to help military personnel who do not have access to fax machines. This bill would allow for easier voting when the elector is overseas. Senator Tupa asked for clarification of how the e-mail ballots would work. The Secretary of State's office replied that the specific details had not been worked out yet and gave examples of how they envision the plan working. Mr. Compton, Director of Elections for the Secretary of State, said that currently, there are two or three other states that offer this exemption. Additionally, Mr. Compton stated that each case would require a statement from the elector, and added that this is not a completely secure system. The committee discussed the logistics of sending a signature without a fax machine or scanner.

The committee asked questions about the security of the system. Mr. Compton responded the office is doing everything they can do ensure the system is safe, and added that these circumstances do not happen often. Further, he noted that this is only for military personnel who are not in the United States. Senator Tupa asked why military personnel are the only persons able to take advantage of this measure. Mr. Compton responded that he has only seen this problem among military personnel. Senator Fitz-Gerald asked if the legislation has any federal implications. Mr. Compton said that the Secretary of State can overcome security and hacking issues up to a point, and that each elector must provide some type of identification.

02:39 PM -- Peg Ackerman, representing the county clerks, testified that the county clerks are in support of this bill. She clarified that many of these voter signatures are already on file.

02:41 PM

Senator Tupa predicted that in a few years the legislature will have to revisit this statute to allow for the electronic voting of all electors overseas. Senator Tupa asked Senator Taylor if he would support an amendment to this effect. Senator Taylor indicated that he would not. Senator Fitz-Gerald asked about Peace Corps members. Again, Senator Taylor stated that he would not support that amendment. Senator Johnson asked Mr. Compton if there had been any problems for other overseas electors. Mr. Compton replied that the only cases that have come up thus far have been by military personnel; however, the Secretary of State's office has no problem adding any of this additional language to the bill.
BILL:SB06-062
TIME: 02:47:13 PM
MOVED:May R.
MOTION:Moved amendment L.001 (Attachment C). The motion passed without objection.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Fitz-Gerald
Johnson
Lamborn
May R.
Windels
Groff
Tupa
Not Final YES: 0 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: Pass Without Objection




BILL:SB06-062
TIME: 02:48:21 PM
MOVED:May R.
MOTION:Refer SB06-062, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole, with favorable recommendation. The motion passed on a 7-0 roll call vote.
SECONDED:
VOTE
Fitz-Gerald
Yes
Johnson
Yes
Lamborn
Yes
May R.
Yes
Windels
Yes
Groff
Yes
Tupa
Yes
Final YES: 7 NO: 0 EXC: 0 ABS: 0 FINAL ACTION: PASS