SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 2775

BYRepresentatives McLean, R. Fisher, Miller, Ebersole, Holland, Bennett, Wolfe, Wang, Betrozoff, Todd, Anderson, Pruitt, R. Meyers, D. Sommers, Wood, Wineberry and Hankins

Prohibiting the use of voting machines that do not record votes on separate ballots.

House Committe on State Government

Senate Committee on Governmental Operations

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 21, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators McCaslin, Chairman; DeJarnatt, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Rod McAulay (786-7754)

                  February 22, 1990

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 23, 1990; February 26, 1990

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Amondson, Bailey, Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, Owen, Saling, Wojahn.

Senate Staff:Steve Jones (786-7715)

                  February 27, 1990

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 26, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Election Code permits only approved voting machines, voting devices, or vote tallying systems to be used for conducting elections in this state.  The code authorizes the Secretary of State to examine such equipment for approval and provides requirements that the equipment must satisfy for approval.  Among these are specific standards for approving lever-operated voting machines.

SUMMARY:

A new standard is established for voting equipment.  Beginning January 1, 1993, no voting device or machine may be used to conduct a primary, special, or general election unless it correctly records on a separate ballot the votes cast by each elector for any person and for or against any measure.  The ballots must also be available for audit purposes after the election.  This prohibition applies to counties of the second class and larger.

Equipment that does not satisfy this standard may be used in less populous counties after January 1, 1993, if:  (1) the equipment was approved for use before January 1, 1993, (2) the equipment otherwise satisfies the requirements of the Election Code, and (3) not more than 20 percent of the votes cast during a primary or election conducted in the county after January 1, 1998, are cast using such equipment.  These less populous counties are encouraged to replace such equipment with equipment that would satisfy this standard.  The Secretary of State must report to the Legislature by January 1 of each odd-numbered year through 1997 on the progress of the less populous counties in replacing equipment that does not satisfy this standard.

Beginning January 1, 1993, the secretary may not approve for use in this state any voting machine or device that does not satisfy this standard.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE WAYS & MEANS AMENDMENT:

Costs incurred by counties to purchase voting machines or devices are not required to be reimbursed by the state under Initiative 62.

Senate Committee - Testified: GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS:  Rep. Alex McLean; Bob Gee; Jan Gee; Elanora Ballasiotes

Senate Committee - Testified: WAYS & MEANS:  Bob Gee; Jan Gee, Elanora Ballasiotes