SB 128 (BR 1504) - L. Casebier
AN ACT relating to a pilot program for unassisted voting by the blind.
Create a new section of KRS Chapter 117 to define "blind or visually impaired individual" and "pilot program"; provide that the State Board of Elections may establish a pilot program for unassisted voting by blind or visually impaired individuals; provide that the State Board of Elections shall approve, as part of the pilot program, and prior to a county board of election's application, the use of voting equipment under KRS 117.379 that is designed to permit blind and visually impaired individuals to vote without assistance, for use beginning in the 2002 general election; provide that no county board of elections shall be required to apply for participation in the pilot program; provide that the State Board of Elections may approve the use of voting equipment designed to permit blind and visually impaired individuals to vote without assistance in as many locations in the county as are requested by the county board of elections; provide for county board application to participate in pilot program, which shall include a statement of the locations of the voting equipment, and the number of blind or visually impaired voters receiving assistance to vote in the last primary and general elections in the county; provide that the State Board of Elections shall approve applications; provide that the approval shall remain in effect for 2 years at which time a county board of elections shall apply for reauthorization if it wishes to remain in the pilot program; provide for reporting; provide that a blind or visually impaired voter in a pilot program county, notwithstanding KRS 116.025 or any other statute to the contrary, shall be permitted to vote at a location outside the precinct of registration by voting at a location within the county of registration on a voting machine designed to permit blind or visually impaired individuals to vote without assistance, which may include voting at the county clerk's office, or other place designated by the State Board of Elections; provide that a blind or visually impaired voter in a pilot program county, notwithstanding KRS 117.075, 117.085, 117.086, or 117.0863 or any other statute to the contrary, shall be permitted to vote in the designated location within the county of registration, on a voting machine at any time during which absentee voting is conducted in the clerk's office or other place designated by the county board of election during normal business hours on at least any of the 12 days prior to the election, and the county board of elections may permit the voting to be conducted on a voting machine for a period longer than the 12 days before the election; provide for application; provide that the State Board of Elections may certify, as a part of a pilot project, voting equipment that uses audio recordings, voice-activated technology, or vocal recognition technology to record a vote, and may require such accommodations to permit the voter to cast a vote in secret; provide that notwithstanding KRS 117.255, a blind or visually impaired voter in a pilot project county may cast a vote alone and without assistance on a voting machine approved for use by the blind or visually impaired voter; allow blind or visually impaired voter to request instruction on the machine; provide that the right of a voter to receive assistance under KRS 117.255 shall be unimpaired.
SB 128 - AMENDMENTS
SCS - Retain provisions of bill, except limit pilot program to a county containing a consolidated local government, remove application process and approval of the State Board of Elections, remove 2 year length of pilot program and remove procedure for reauthorization of pilot program.
HCA (1, A. Arnold) - Apply provisions of pilot program for blind voters to counties containing a city of the first class.
Jan 22-introduced in Senate
Jan 25-to State and Local Government (S)
Feb 12-reported favorably, 1st reading, to Consent Calendar with Committee Substitute
Feb 13-2nd reading, to Rules; posted for passage in the Consent Orders of the Day for Thursday, February 14, 2002
Feb 14-3rd reading, passed 38-0 with Committee Substitute
Feb 15-received in House
Feb 19-to Elections, Const. Amendments & Intergovernmental Affairs (H)
Feb 27-posting waived
Feb 28-reported favorably, 1st reading, to Calendar with committee amendment (1)
Mar 1-2nd reading, to Rules
Mar 8-posted for passage in the Regular Orders of the Day for Monday, March 11, 2002
Mar 19-3rd reading, passed 95-0 with committee amendment (1)
Mar 20-received in Senate
Mar 25-posted for passage for concurrence in House committee amendment (1) for Monday, March 25, 2002; Senate concurred in House committee amendment (1) ; passed 37-0
Mar 27-enrolled, signed by each presiding officer; delivered to Governor
Apr 2-signed by Governor (Acts ch. 147)
