HCS SS SCS SB 675 -- ELECTIONS

SPONSOR:  Yeckel (Seigfreid)

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass" by the Committee on Elections
by a vote of 14 to 0.

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

(1)  Allows computerized voting systems to be certified for use
in Missouri;

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

(3)  Prohibits employers from firing or disciplining employees
appointed as election judges. 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;

(4)  Allows caretakers of the disabled and elderly to vote by
absentee ballot;

(5)  Subject to appropriation, provides state grants for election
judge compensation, for youth voting programs, and to upgrade
local election equipment, including accessible voting equipment;

(6)  Removes uncontested party committee races from ballots;

(7)  Closes certain voter registration records by court order if
the voter's safety is at issue;

(8)  Allows international election observers;

(9)  Allows persons in federal service to return absentee ballots
by electronic means;

(10)  Prohibits use of the butterfly ballot except in certain
circumstances;

(11)  Requires that voting instructions be clearly posted at all
polls;

(12)  Gives local election authorities in jurisdictions with less
than 750 registered voters the option to mail out sample ballots
to voters.  Current law only allows this in jurisdictions with
less than 500 registered voters;

(13)  Extends the time period allowed for testing voting
equipment from five to 14 days, but within 21 days in counties of
the first classification or with a charter form of government
that have established a board of election commissioners;

(14)  Requires all election authorities to establish an advance
voting period for presidential elections, which 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 and locations for advance voting;

(15)  Requires voter registration agencies under the National
Voter Registration Act to submit registration applications within
five days of completion of the registration form;

(16)  Requires election authorities to accept absentee ballot
applications by facsimile transmission;

(17)  Prohibits certain persons who register to vote by mail from
voting by absentee ballot until they have first voted in person
and presented proper identification at a polling place;

(18)  Allows the Secretary of State to develop multilingual
sample ballots and voting instructions; and

(19)  Establishes provisional voting.

The substitute has an emergency clause applying to the provision
on party committee races.

FISCAL NOTE:  Estimated Net Effect to General Revenue Fund of an
Income of $96,302 in FY 2003, a Cost of $112,358 in FY 2004, and
a Cost of $679,172 to $1,120,172 in FY 2005.  Estimated Net Cost
to Highway Fund of $7,650 in FY 2003, $9,181 in FY 2004, and
$9,181 in FY 2005.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the substitute is necessary for
many reasons including updating voting equipment, encouraging
people to participate in the election process, increasing access
to the polls, making it easier to vote, reducing long lines that
discourage participation, encouraging service as election judges,
and reducing the potential for voter fraud.

Testifying for the bill were Senator Yeckel; Secretary of State's
Office; Boone County Clerk's Office; Associated Students of the
University of Missouri; and Missouri Press Association.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Julie Jinkens McNitt, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
Last Updated October 11, 2002 at 9:04 am