Reply #2: Kerkman's press release on the bill [View All]

[sybylla]

http://www.thewheelerreport.com/releases/Apr05/Apr20/0420kerkmanpollworkers.PDF
PRESS RELEASE For Further Information Contact:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Rep. Samantha Kerkman
April 19, 2005 608-266-2530
KERKMAN LEGISLATION SAILS THROUGH SENATE COMMITTEE
Now Awaits Senate Floor Debate
Madison….Representative Samantha Kerkman (R-Powers Lake) received approval from the Senate Committee on Labor and Election Process Reform. Her legislation, Assembly Bill 61, received a public hearing and executive session in the committee. The executive session is a vote by the committee members in favor of passage. The legislation passed on a unanimous vote allowing it to now move to the Senate Rules Committee to get scheduled for a vote by the entire Senate.

“The action today by the committee shows that this problem needs to be addressed. Both the Assembly and Senate have worked quickly to move the bill through,” said Kerkman, “I look forward to wrapping the bill up and getting it to Governor Doyle’s desk.”

Under current law, election officials must be an elector of the municipality they serve on Election Day. Clerks and Deputy Clerks who do not reside in the municipality they work in are unable to work at the polls on Election Day. Assembly Bill 61 would allow Clerks and their Deputies who don’t reside in the municipality the ability to work at the polls.

“Really this is a loophole in our statutes. We allow these clerks to register voters every day of the year, but not on Election Day? It really becomes a predicament for smaller communities who may have difficulty finding experienced, knowledgeable poll workers,” said Kerkman.

The committee heard testimony from Representative Kerkman as well as Diana Dysktra, Clerk of the City of Lake Geneva and Dorothy Sandona, former clerk of the Village of Twin Lakes. Diana Dykstra has a personal interest in the legislation as she is one of the clerks this legislation would benefit. Dykstra works for the City of Lake Geneva but lives in the Village of Sharon.

Representative Kerkman has been working on this legislation since 1997 when she was a staff member of Representative Cloyd Porter. At that time Dorothy Sandona approached then Representative Porter about the loophole. The legislation has been introduced each session with modifications with each introduction.

“I have been working on this legislation for a long time. But now, I think it’s time we get it signed into law. It really shows how long it can take to create a law. We entrust our Clerks 363 days a year, let’s finish the job and let them do their jobs 365,” said Kerkman.
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I don't know if you can take her word for anything but at least you can see her rationale.