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Minutes for SB351 - Committee on Ethics, Elections and Local Government
Short Title
Ensuring that the votes of voters whose names do not appear in the poll book and are otherwise eligible to vote are counted.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 19, 2020
Chairperson Bowers opened the hearing on SB351. Charles Reimer, staff revisor, presented a briefing on the bill. After questions by the Committee were addressed, the hearing continued.
Senator Hardy testified in support of SB351 indicating the bill addresses rejected provisional ballots. Senator Hardy stated this bill is designed to correct a deficiency in our system that takes rejected provisional ballots that are valid except for one thing, these people tried to vote in a wrong jurisdiction. Senator Hardy's testimony stated that we should not turn them away because they failed to update their address ahead of time. (Attachment 1)
Davis Hammet testified in support of SB351. Mr. Hammet stated SB351 is a simple solution to a complex problem. Mr. Hammet explained it adds into statute that already deals with counting provisional ballots an additional protection for the people. Mr. Hammet indicated SB351 is about our trust in our democratic republic. Mr. Hammet concluded stating this is an opportunity to ensure Kansans know that if they show up to vote, their vote is counted. (Attachment 2)
Rick Piepho testified in support of SB351 on behalf of the KCCEOA explaining this issue was part of the KCCEOA legislative platform to allow more provisional ballots to be counted. Mr. Piepho indicated these voters are making the effort to vote, their vote is just not being counted because of a technicality. Mr. Piepho indicated from an administrative standpoint, this wouldn't cause a lot of extra work for clerks because they are already processing each individual provisional ballot. (Attachment 3)
Melissa Stiehler testified in support of SB351 indicating it's a straightforward focused solution to address a minor administrative issue that has real consequences. Ms. Stiehler stated passing SB351 is vital to ensuring that the votes of eligible citizens are counted. Ms. Stiehler indicated codifying SB351 will allow voters to regain and retain confidence in the system, and to focus on what brought them to participate on Election Day in the first place: the choice of for whom to vote. (Attachment 4)
Written testimony in support of SB351 was submitted by:
Jay Hall, Legislative Policy Director and General Counsel, Kansas Association of Counties (Attachment 5)
Andrew Lee, President, American Civil Liberties Union, University of Kansas Chapter (Attachment 6)
Michael Poppa, Executive Director, MainStream Coalition (Attachment 7)
Rabbi Moti Rieber, Executive Director, Kansas Inter Faith Action (Attachment 8)
Sister Faye Huelsmann, CSJ, Sisters of St. Joseph (Attachment 9)
Sister Patricia Lewter, CSJ, Sisters of St. Joseph (Attachment 10)
Written testimony in opposition of SB351 was submitted by:
Katie Koupal, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, Communications and Policy (Attachment 11)
Written neutral testimony for SB351 was submitted by:
Patrick Doyle, Private Citizen (Attachment 12)
After questions from the Committee were addressed, Chairperson Bowers closed the hearing on SB351.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:25 a.m.
The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 20, 2020.
