House Status:
Senate Status:
Senate Status:
Minutes for SB43 - Committee on Ethics, Elections and Local Government
Short Title
Elections; registration; election day registration.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 19, 2019
Chairperson Bowers opened the hearing on SB43. Chuck Reimer, staff revisor, presented a briefing on the bill.
Senator Pat Pettey testified in support of SB43. Senator Pettey stated SB43 does not hold the voter to any lesser standard since all information that any voter must provide is required and the ballot is a provisional ballot. (Attachment 1)
Senator Oletha Faust-Goudeau testified in support of SB43. Senator Faust-Goudeau stated same day voter registration would allow citizens to register by simply presenting a valid government-issued photo identification card and proof of residency at the polling place. (Attachment 2)
Melissa Stiehler testified in support of SB43. Ms. Stiehler indicated the ACLU of Kansas supports SB43 because it will be proven to increase voter turnout; election-day registration reaches historically disenfranchised voters; election-day registration is easy to implement, non-controversial, and used throughout the United States. (Attachment 3)
Jamie Shew testified in support of SB43 stating in his county the majority of uncounted ballots are for registration deadline issues. Mr. Shew's testimony indicated in analyzing the impact of this bill, his office does not see an increase in expenditures or resources used. (Attachment 4)
Dr. Glenda Overstreet Vaughn testified in support of SB43. Dr. Overstreet Vaughn stated that we want to find ourselves on the side of history that says we're here supporting each and every one of our Kansas' citizens to insure that they vote, that they're getting out; this bill gives that opportunity to do so. (Attachment 5) (Attachment 6)
Ethel Edwards testified in support of SB43. Ms. Edwards explained at the last general election there were 26 provisional ballots at their polling site, and indicated it would take no more work to do a provisional ballot in the upcoming elections than it did in the November election. (Attachment 7)
Luis Estrada testified in support of SB43. Mr. Estrada stated SB43 would increase turnout rates as proven by 19 other states that currently utilize this process. (Attachment 8)
Davis Hammet testified in support of SB43. Mr. Hammet described how the process works today if a voter isn't registered or their address isn't updated when they show up at the polls on Election Day. Mr. Hammet's testimony indicted SB43 is simply asking to stop forcing election officers to throw away these citizen's votes. (Attachment 9)
Cille King testified in support of SB43. Ms. King stated they agree it shouldn't be more expensive or require more staff, and would help all the citizens whether Republican, Democratic, Libertarian or unaffiliated vote in elections. (Attachment 10)
Jessica Olson testified in support of SB43 stating the easier we make it, the better. Ms. Olson indicated if someone could just walk in that day, register and actually vote; she believes that would go a long way to restore people's faith in our political process. (Attachment 11)
Genevieve Prescher testified in support of SB43. Ms. Prescher stated in this time of low voter turnout and increased apathy among the voting population, it is critical that we encourage engagement on the part of those who wish to be involved, rather than allow an unnecessary restriction to block their participation. (Attachment 12)
After questions by the Committee were addressed, the hearing continued.
Rick Piepho representing the KCCEOA testified in opposition of SB43. Mr. Piepho indicated there still needs to be some sort of deadline so that there can be an expectation that if you register by this day, then you should be in the poll book and not have to vote provisionally. Mr. Piepho stated they have reports that are due to the Secretary of State's office indicating there needs to be some time frame to cut off the registration so they can do their reports. Mr. Piepho expressed their support of the Secretary of State's request to defer any action this session so they can have some discussions on how to make this work administratively. (Attachment 13)
Written testimony in support of SB43 was submitted by:
Representative Gail A. Finney (Attachment 14)
Joey Hentzler, Director of Advocacy, Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice (Attachment 15)
David H. Wilkinson, M.A., M.S., Wilkinson Consulting Group (Attachment 16)
Peter Karman, Project Manager, KSVotes.org (Attachment 17)
Danielle Johnson, private citizen (Attachment 18)
Dorothy Billings, private citizen (Attachment 19)
Donna Wirth, private citizen (Attachment 20)
Erin Hicks, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated-Topeka Alumnae Chapter President (Attachment 21)
Sherry Livingston, private citizen (Attachment 22)
Richard Mabion, President, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Kansas City, Kansas Branch #4033 (Attachment 23)
Brandon Johnson, Council Member, Wichita City Council-District 1 (Attachment 24)
Brandi Fisher, Executive Director, MainStream Coalition (Attachment 25)
Tracy Rasmussen, private citizen (Attachment 26)
Bonita Gooch, President, Kansas Black Leadership Council (Attachment 27)
LaWanda DeShazer, private citizen (Attachment 28)
Kevin Myles, NAACP Regional Director (Attachment 29)
Written testimony in opposition of SB43 was submitted by:
Rick Piepho, Harvey County Clerk and Election Officer (Attachment 30)
Written neutral testimony for SB43 was submitted by:
Katie Koupal, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Communications and Policy (Attachment 31)
Jay Hall, Legislative Policy Director and General Counsel, Kansas Association of Counties (Attachment 32)
After questions from the Committee were addressed, Chairperson Bowers closed the hearing on SB43.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:27 a.m.
The next meeting is scheduled for February 20, 2019.
