s_sa_2017a_2017-02-22t13:37:10z3 Hearing Summary

Date: 02/22/2017

Location: SCR 357

03:00 PM -- SB17-138



The committee reconvened.



Senator Tate, sponsor, presented Senate Bill 17-138 to the committee. This bill authorizes each political party participating in a primary election to have at least one election watcher in each voter service and polling center (vote center). For general elections, this bill authorizes the registered agent of an issue committee to appoint one or more election watchers. For non-partisan elections, candidates and proponents and opponents of ballot issues are authorized to appoint one or more election watchers in every county. Under current law, only one election watcher is allowed in each of these circumstances. For each of these elections, the names of the election watchers must be submitted no later than the Wednesday prior to the vote centers opening. This bill also specifies the procedure that must be followed if an election watcher sees a potential discrepancy. Additionally, county clerks are authorized to request a name-based criminal history background check of any election watcher using the website maintained by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Lastly, this bill prohibits the sale, disclosure, or release of a photocopied or microfilmed image of a voters' signature.



03:03 PM -- Cathy Jarrett, representing herself, testified against the bill. She responded to committee member questions.



03:13 PM -- Harvie Branscomb, representing himself, testified against the bill. Mr. Branscomb and Ms. Jarrett responded to committee member questions.



03:23 PM -- Martha Tierney, representing America Votes, testified in support of the bill.



03:25 PM -- Elizabeth Steele, representing Colorado Common Cause, testified in support of the bill.



03:27 PM -- Karen Goldman, representing the Colorado Municipal League, the Colorado Municipal Clerks Association, and the City of Aurora, testified in support of the bill.



03:30 PM -- Matt Crane, representing the Colorado County Clerks Association, testified in support of the bill.



03:31 PM -- Suzanne Staiert, Deputy Secretary of State, testified in support of the bill.



03:34 PM -- Ryan Parsell, representing the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder, testified in support of the bill.



03:35 PM -- Mary Eberle, representing herself, testified against the bill.



03:39 PM -- Mark Johnson, representing himself, testified against the bill.



03:42 PM -- Amber McReynolds, representing the City and County of Denver, testified in support of the bill.





03:46 PM



Senator Scott laid over SB 17-138 for action only.