h_sa_2016a_2016-02-10t10:17:05z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 02/10/2016

10:17 AM -- HB16-1070



Representative Neville, sponsor, presented House Bill 16-1070 to the committee. This bill requires an election judge to compare the signature on each ballot return envelope with the signature of the eligible elector stored in the statewide voter registration system (SCORE) for every municipal mail ballot election. The use of a signature verification device for this purpose is authorized. If the signatures match, the ballot is counted. If the signatures do not match, two other election judges must compare the signatures. If the election judges determine that the signatures do not match, the clerk must send the eligible voter a letter explaining the discrepancy and a form for the voter to confirm that they returned a ballot. If the form confirming that the elector returned a ballot is received within eight days after election day, the ballot must be counted. If the form is not returned or the voter indicates that they did not return a ballot, the ballot is not counted. This bill also requires that municipal clerks be given access to the digitized signatures in SCORE and that clerks provide training in signature comparison to election judges.



Representative Neville also presented amendment L.001 (Attachment A).



16HouseState0210AttachA.pdf



10:19 AM -- Karen Goldman, Aurora City Clerk representing the Colorado Municipal Clerks' Association, the Colorado Municipal League, and the city of Aurora, testified in support of the bill.



10:26 AM -- Carol Tone, representing the League of Women Voters, testified in support of the bill.



10:27 AM -- Suzanne Staiert, Deputy Secretary of State, testified in support of the bill.



10:31 AM -- Ryan Parsell, representing the El Paso County Clerk and Recorder's office, testified in support of the bill.



10:34 AM -- Teak Simonton, Eagle County Clerk and Recorder representing the Colorado County Clerks' Association, testified in support of the bill.



10:35 AM -- Elena Nunez, representing Colorado Common Cause, testified in support of the bill.

10:36 AM



Representative Neville wrapped up his presentation of the bill.