NOTE: As provided in LFC policy, this report is intended only for use by the standing finance committees of the legislature.  The Legislative Finance Committee does not assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information in this report when used for other purposes.

The most recent FIR version (in HTML & Adobe PDF formats) is available on the Legislative Website. The Adobe PDF version includes all attachments, whereas the HTML version does not. Previously issued FIRs and attachments may be obtained from the LFC in Suite 101 of the State Capitol Building North.

F I S C A L I M P A C T R E P O R T

SPONSOR:	Park		DATE TYPED:	3/12/03		HB	985/aHVEC/aHFl#1
SHORT TITLE:		Inspection of Precinct Voter Lists				SB
					ANALYST:		Chavez

APPROPRIATION

Appropriation Contained		Estimated Additional Impact		Recurring or Non-Rec	Fund Affected
FY03	FY04	FY03	FY04
NFI	NFI

(Parenthesis ( ) Indicate Expenditure Decreases)

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

Secretary of State (SOS)

LFC Files

SUMMARY

Synopsis of HFl Amendment #1

The House Floor Amendment #1 removes the requirement that in a general election a candidate for elected office and an election related organization make a written request to the county clerk to have one watcher per polling place.

Additionally, the Amendment includes the provision that “the secretary of state shall notify the county clerk of the qualified appointees at least ten days before the election.”

Further, the Amendment defines “election-related organization” to include a nonpartisan organization involved in voter turnout activities.

Synopsis of HVEC Amendment

The House Voters and Elections Committee Amendment provides that in general elections a candidate for elected office and an election-related organization may appoint one watcher per polling place (instead of precinct).

The Amendment further provides that a watcher may inspect the precinct voter list to ascertain whether a voter has voted subject to the same prohibitions and restrictions as are placed upon challengers by the Election Code.

Section 3 of the bill is stricken in its entirety which relates to regular municipal elections regarding challengers, watchers and observers. The Amendment removes from the bill the ability of an election-related organization to appoint one watcher per precinct if the organization makes a written request to the municipal clerk.

Synopsis of Original Bill

House Bill 985 proposes an expansion of the number of individuals who may be present in the polls and inspect the roster at state and municipal elections.

ADMINISTRATIVE IMPLICATIONS

The SOS indicates that they along with the county and municipal clerks can anticipate greater difficulty in maintaining order on election day.

POSSIBLE QUESTIONS

1. What is an “election-related organization”?
2. Who is to determine if an organization is “election-related”?
3. Is there an appeal process for an organization that is denied the status of an “election-related organization”?
4. Should the conduct of watchers be regulated?
5. How can the poll workers process voters and avoid delay while allowing for the inspection of the rosters?

FC/ls:yr