House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
Minutes for SB37 - Committee on Ethics, Elections and Local Government
Short Title
Elections; voting procedures where proof of citizenship not provided.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 7, 2017
Chairperson Bowers opened the hearing on SB37. Mike Heim, staff revisor, presented a briefing on the bill. After questions by the Committee were addressed, the hearing continued.
Secretary Kris Kobach testified in support of SB37 indicating that this bill is a small fix to clarify what his office already thought was in Kansas law. Secretary Kobach described the four reasons for this bill. (Attachment 1)
After questions by the Committee were addressed, the hearing continued.
Tabitha Lehman testified in support of SB37 presenting information collected by her office since the proof of citizenship requirement went into effect on January 1, 2013. (Attachment 2)
Andrew Howell testified in support of SB37. Mr. Howell stated that provisional ballots are a key way of insuring that the right of a voter to have their vote counted is respected. (Attachment 3)
Ronnie Metsker testified in support of SB37. Mr. Metsker stated that we must take special care to be good stewards of our election process, and maintain the integrity and authenticity of the entire process, from registration to certification of results. (Attachment 4)
Bruce Newby testified in support of SB37 stating that this bill does not constitute a departure from standards and procedures already common to the administration of elections. (Attachment 5)
Questions from the Committee were addressed by the conferees and Bryan Caskey, Director of Elections, Kansas Secretary of State's Office.
Marge Ahrens testified in opposition of SB37, indicating that her written testimony includes information on the cases that have already been adjudicated or are in process in relation to the Secure and Fair Elections Act (SAFE Act) as well as information about the decision about a two-tiered process. (Attachment 6)
Rabbi Moti Rieber testified in opposition of SB37 stating that there is no statistical voting by undocumented immigrants in this state, but there is voter suppression. (Attachment 7)
Gina Spade testified in opposition of SB37. Ms. Spade stated that this bill's two-tiered voting system that is proposed would be even more confusing for would-be voters. (Attachment 8)
Andrea Boyack testified in opposition of SB37. Ms. Boyack stated that the voter registration requirements that we have in Kansas are among the most onerous in the entire country. (Attachment 9)
Doug Bonney testified in opposition of SB37. Mr. Bonney stated that the people we are talking about in this legislation have already provided proof of citizenship. Mr. Bonney also addressed the constitutionality of the laws. (Attachment 10)
Chris Reeves testified in opposition of SB37. Mr. Reeves indicated that when we embark on this, we're taking a lot of people and making it very difficult for them to register. (Attachment 11)
Davis Hammet testified in opposition of SB37 stating that we are setting ourselves up for potentially wasting tax money on something that's illegal and disenfranchising voters. (Attachment 12)
Mark Dugan presenting for Brandi Fisher testified in opposition of SB37. Mr. Dugan stated that this bill limits the right to vote and it does not protect the right to vote. (Attachment 13)
Written testimony in support of SB37 was submitted by:
Leavenworth County Petition (Attachment 14)
Written testimony in opposition of SB37 was submitted by:
Melinda Lewis, Private Citizen (Attachment 15)
Beth Clarkson, Founder, Show Me the Votes Foundation (Attachment 16)
After questions from the Committee were addressed, Chairperson Bowers closed the hearing on SB37.
