HCS HB 247, 109, 99 & 100 -- ELECTIONS

SPONSOR:  Seigfreid

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Elections
by a vote of 13 to 2.

This substitute makes various changes to the election laws.  In
its main provisions, the substitute:

(1)  Adds services, equipment, and functions relating to
elections to the permissible uses of the Secretary of State's
technology fund;

(2)  Allows electronic voting systems to be certified for use in
Missouri;

(3)  Allows independent and third party members to serve as
election judges;

(4)  Prohibits employers from firing or disciplining employees
appointed as election judges by a board of election
commissioners.  The substitute also requires that these
employees may be absent from work for the amount of time that
the election authority requires their service as election
judges.  Employees discharged in violation of this section may
bring a civil action against the employer for lost wages,
reinstatement, and attorney fees;

(5)  Allows an increase in the base pay for pollworkers;

(6)  Removes the July and August election dates in odd-numbered
years;

(7)  Upon appropriation, requires all election authorities to
establish an advance voting period for all elections, which
period will begin 14 days before an election and end on the
Wednesday immediately before an election.  The election
authority must establish and post the hours, dates, and
locations for advance voting;

(8)  Allows election authorities to mail notice of election and
sample ballots directly to each household instead of publishing
them in newspapers;

(9)  Requires voter registration agencies under the National
Voter Registration Act to submit registration applications
within 5 days;

(10)  Requires election authorities to accept absentee ballot
applications by facsimile transmission within the limits of
their telecommunications capacity.  Under current law,
acceptance of facsimile transmissions is within the election
authority's discretion;

(11)  Removes uncontested committee races from ballots; and

(12)  Removes an expiration date for certain provisions that
assess various fees to provide funds for elections, among other
things.

FISCAL NOTE:  Cost to Highway Fund of $7,650 in FY 2002, $9,181
in FY 2003, and $9,181 in FY 2004.  Estimated Net Cost to
General Revenue Fund of $5,072,238 to Unknown in FY 2002,
$9,233,839 to Unknown in FY 2003, and $5,081,153 to Unknown in
FY 2004.  Estimated Net Cost to Technology Trust Fund of $0 or
Unknown in FY 2002, FY 2003, and FY 2004.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters of HB 99 say that the bill is necessary
to encourage people to participate in the election process as
election judges without fear of reprisal from employers.
Supporters of HB 100, HB 109, and HB 247 say that these bills
are necessary to encourage people to participate in the election
process by increasing their access to the polls and making it
easier to vote and to avoid long lines that discourage
participation.

Testifying for HB 99 were Representative Johnson (61); Secretary
of State's Office; St. Louis County Election Board; and Missouri
Association of County Clerks and Election Authorities.
Testifying for HB 100 were Representative Johnson (61); and
Secretary of State's Office.  Testifying for HB 109 were
Representatives Willoughby and Skaggs; Clay County Election
Board; and Secretary of State's Office.  Testifying for HB 247
were Representative Seigfreid; and Secretary of State's Office.
Testifying for HCS HB 247 et al. were Johnson County, Kansas
Election Office; Platte County Board of Election Commissioners;
Gasconade County Clerk's Office; Boone County Clerk's Office;
and the Secretary of State's Office.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition to HB 99 voiced to the
committee.  Those who oppose HB 100 and HB 247 say that there is
no evidence that early voting increases voter turnout, and it
would increase costs significantly.  Those who oppose HB 109 say
that there is no evidence that early voting increases voter
turnout, it would increase costs significantly, and it involves
a risk of votes not counting if a ballot changes.

Testifying against HB 100 and HB 247 were the St. Louis County
Election Board; and Beverly Ehlen.  Testifying against HB 109
was the St. Louis County Election Board.

Julie Jinkens McNitt, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated November 26, 2001 at 11:43 am