SENATE BILL REPORT

EHJM 4033

BYRepresentatives Jones, Vekich, Fisher, Schmidt, Baugher, Unsoeld, Prince, Walk, Walker, Lux, Hine, Crane, S. Wilson, Hargrove, Anderson, Leonard, Pruitt, Brough, Basich, Dorn, Day, Haugen, Sayan, Winsley, Cooper, Belcher, Nelson, May, Miller, Butterfield, Ferguson, Spanel and Nealey

Petitioning Congress to adopt legislation establishing a uniform closing time for polling places.

House Committe on Constitution, Elections & Ethics

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 25, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; Zimmerman, Vice Chairman; DeJarnatt, Garrett, Halsan, Metcalf.

Senate Staff:Sam Thompson (786-7754)

                  February 25, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS, FEBRUARY 25, 1988

BACKGROUND:

The U.S. Congress has before it H.R. 435 which would establish, for a Presidential general election, a single closing time for voting places throughout the continental United States.  Under the provisions of the bill, the polls would close at 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time during a presidential election.  The bill would also extend, during each Presidential election year, the period during which daylight savings time is effective in the Pacific Time Zone.  Daylight savings time would end on the first Sunday after the date of the election.

SUMMARY:

Congress is requested to enact legislation similar to H.R. 435, which would establish a uniform closing time for all polling places in the continental United States, in conjunction with a pledge from news broadcasting organizations not to project election results until after the closing time.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The word "democratic" is deleted from the phrase "democratic character of elections."

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Representative Jones, prime sponsor (for); Dean Williams, Snohomish County Auditor (for); Don Whiting, Secretary of State's office (for)