s_sa_2016a_2016-05-10t10:59:07z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 05/10/2016

11:30 AM



The committee recessed.





12:30 PM



The committee reconvened.





12:32 PM -- HB16-1454



Senator Guzman presented House Bill 16-1454 to the committee. This bill, as amended by the House State, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee, recreates a presidential primary election and allows persons not permanently affiliated with a political party to participate in a presidential primary and a state primary.



For the presidential primary, the Governor must set the date of the presidential primary election by September 1 in the year preceding a presidential election. The presidential primary election must be held no later than the third Tuesday in March, but no earlier than the date set in the major party rules before which states are penalized delegates to the national party convention. The presidential primary is the only issue to be put to voters at the election. Candidates for each political party are to be listed on separate ballots. The bill specifies other details about the conduct of the election, including required notices to be given to voters, the required procedures for candidates and write-in candidates to appear on the ballot, and the order of candidates on the ballot.



Unaffiliated voters may temporarily affiliate with a party up to and on the day of the primary to participate in a presidential primary or state primary election. The period of temporary affiliation begins 45 days before the presidential primary or state primary and terminates 30 days after. Voters may temporarily affiliate with a political party using the state online voter registration system or by declaring their intention to affiliate with a political party to an election judge at a voter service and polling center. Voters temporarily affiliated with one political party cannot participate in another party primary unless they withdraw or change their affiliation at least 29 days before the primary election.



The state must reimburse counties for the actual direct costs incurred to conduct a presidential primary election and the bill authorizes a General Fund appropriation for this reimbursement. The Secretary of State will determine the type of direct costs for which counties will be entitled to reimbursement.



Sections 12 through 14 of the bill contain statutory conforming amendments related to the recreation of a presidential primary and allowing unaffiliated voters to participate if a ballot measure on the topic is enacted.



12:38 PM -- Suzanne Staiert, Deputy Secretary of State, testified in support of the bill, and presented a handout (Attachment A).



16SenateState0510AttachA.pdf



12:51 PM -- Pam Anderson, representing Colorado County Clerks Association, testified in support of the bill.



12:58 PM -- John Wren, representing Save the Caucus, testified against the bill and presented a handout (Attachment B).



16SenateState0510AttachB.pdf



01:03 PM -- Elliot Fladen, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.



01:07 PM -- Christine Watson, representing the League of Women Voters, testified in support of the bill.



01:09 PM -- Margit Johansson, representing Coloradans for Voting Integrity, testified against the bill.



01:15 PM -- Steve House, representing the Colorado Republican Party, testified in support of the bill.





01:18 PM



Senator Guzman wrapped up her presentation to the committee. The committee discussed the bill.

01:36 PM



The committee adjourned.