Alabama: A bill introduced by Rep. Laura Hall (D-Huntsville) would allow for automatic voter registration for anyone applying for a new license or renewing an existing one. Secretary of State John Merrill said automatic voter registration is not part of his office’s legislative agenda for 2016.
Alaska: This week, Lt. Gov. Byron Mallett signed the certification documents for a ballot initiative that would link voter registration to applications for Permanent Dividend Funds. Petitioners gathered 36,000 signatures, almost 10,000 more than necessary. Baring a Special Election, the initiative will appear on the August 16 Primary ballot.
Arizona: Legislation that would make it a felony for non-family members to collect and submit absentee ballots has been signed into law by Gov. Doug Ducey. HB 2023 will allow judges to impose a presumptive one-year prison term and potential $150,000 fine for the practice by civic and political groups of ballot harvesting.
Florida: By the slimmest of margins (58-54), the Senate has approved legislation that will give all 58 Supervisors of Elections in the Sunshine State a pay raise. The raises will average about $20,000 and are based on county population.
Idaho: Legislation to allow for online voter registration has cleared the House State Affairs Committee and now moves to the full House for consideration.
Iowa: Senate File 2142 would give 17-year-olds the right to vote in Primary elections if they will be 18 by the date of the General election. Secretary of State Paul Pate supports the legislation.
Kentucky: A bill filed in the Senate this week would put the question of whether ex-felons should have their voting rights restored or not before the voters.
Legislation that would allow for early voting for up to 12 days before an election including two Saturdays was approved by the House.
New York: A bill before the New York City Council would require the City Board of Elections (BOE) to come up with an emergency elections plan. The bill would mandate that the BOE be prepared for extreme situations by working with the Mayor's Office of Emergency Management to create a reasonable plan to conduct an election amid a crisis.
Oklahoma: Oklahoma House of Representatives will vote on Bill 2277 to clarify voting rights for ex-felons. The proposal authored by State Representative Regina Goodwin passed committee in a 6-0 vote. Current Oklahoma law states a completed prison sentence also completes a ban from voting.
Vermont: By a unanimous 137-0 vote, the House has approved automatic voter registration legislation (HB 458). Vermonters could opt out of voter registration by checking a box on the application or renewal form for a driver's license or non-driver identification card. Otherwise, the Department of Motor Vehicles would assume applicants met the legal requirements for voting and would send their information to the Vermont Secretary of State's Office. Sponsor by Rep. Christopher Pearson (Progressive), Vermont does not have registration by party. The bill now goes to the Senate. The bill had been introduced a year ago.
Wisconsin: Gov. Scott Walker (R) wants the state’s voter ID law amended so that veterans may use their veteran ID as a form of acceptable ID in order to cast a ballot.
West Virginia: A Senate committee has approved voter ID legislation albeit with many changes to what types of ID are acceptable. Under the House version, Government-issued IDs, Social Security cards and Medicaid cards would have been accepted, but under the amended version in the Senate, birth certificates, voter registration cards, hunting and fishing licenses, Medicaid cards, debit cards, credit cards, health insurance cards, utility bills, bank statements, paychecks, SNAP cards and TANF cards would also be included as acceptable forms of ID to vote.
The House has approved legislation that will make it possible for the State to join ERIC.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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