The Independent View: Electionline Weekly August-23-2018

Legislative Updates

Illinois: Gov. Bill Ruaner (R) has Vetoed a Bill that would have required Corrections Officials to help those Incarcerated in Jails and Prisons understand their Voting Rights. The Bill would have required Election and Corrections Officials to offer Ballots to People being Detained in Jail prior to their Trials who want to Vote. It would have also required Corrections Officials to provide Voter Registration Forms to People being Released from Jail and Information about Voting Rights to those leaving Prison. In his Veto, Rauner didn’t Object to helping People get Access to Ballots during Pretrial Detention, but specifically took Issue with the Requirement that Officials provide Voter Registration Forms to People leaving Jail and Voting Rights Information to those leaving Prison. He said he’d Support the Bill if Lawmakers Eliminated those Elements of it.

Virginia: In a 3-6 Vote, the Chesapeake City Council has Voted Down a Proposal that would have Moved the City’s Elections from May to November.

Legal Updates

Arizona: The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has Sued the Secretary of State’s Office alleging that the State does not promptly Update Voters’ Addresses. According to the Suit, Procedures set up by Secretary of State, Michele Reagan, require Voters to Affirmatively ask the State Department of Transportation to Update their New Address, which Plaintiffs claim is in Violate of Federal Law. State Elections Director, Eric Spencer, said that the State is moving in that Direction.

Florida: Citing the Influx of Voters from Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria, Demos has Filed a Lawsuit claiming that at least 32 Additional Florida Counties should be providing Voting Materials in English and in Spanish.

Hawaii: A Complaint has been filed with the Hawaii Supreme Court alleging that Voter Fraud, Coercion, and Intimidation by State Rep. Romy Cachola helped Cachola Win the Aug. 11th Primary by just 51 Votes. The Complaint is premised on the Surge of Absentee Mail-In Ballots that Secured Cachola the Win. Hawaii Elections Chief, Scott Nago, is also named in the Suit.

Kentucky: In a Legal Opinion issued Last Week, the Commonwealth’s Attorney General said that Poll Workers may provide Voters with a List of Certified Write-In Candidates. The State Law that Prohibits Electioneering at the Polls does Not Prohibit Distributing a List of Write-In Candidates if a Voter Requests Instructions on how to Cast a Write-In Vote, the Opinion said in response to a Question by Secretary of State Alison Lundergan Grimes.

Tennessee: The Rogersville Board of Mayor and Alderman has Decline to Reimburse the Hawkins County Election Commission for $14,723 in Legal Fees. The Town Sued the Commission earlier this year over the Commission’s Decision to Consolidate Voting Precincts.