NE2: Regional Voting Regulations Act 2014 (Failed)

[Barnes]

Thanks, Mr. Speaker.  The reasons behind this bill are fairly clear, I think.  There was confusion at the last Assembly election over counting edited ballots, and what legislation is actually in effect to regulate ballots.  I believe that it's best for the regulations surrounding voting in the Northeast to follow those on the federal level as much as possible, so as to remove any confusion a voter might have between the two systems.

The window on ballot editing should be easy to monitor and enforce, and by passing this bill, it will be clear in statute exactly what the election administrator's responsibilities are in this regard. 

To address Dallas's point, there is law the forbids ballot editing, but it would be repealed under this bill.  I would certainly be in favor of providing a sample ballot - I'll probably get on that later as an amendment.

[Barnes]

I move the following amendment:

Regional Voting Regulations Act 2014

Section 1.
1. This act applies to all regional elections held within the Northeast, but not those conducted by the Northeast for the federal government, such as constitutional amendments.
2. Upon posting their ballot in the voting booth, every voters shall have a window of exactly twenty minutes from the time-stamp on their post to edit their ballot.
3. Any edit made after the expiry of the twenty minutes shall render the entire ballot invalid.

Section 2.
1. The relevant administrator of the election shall be charged with posting the guideline outlined in Sections 1.2 and 1.3 in the voting booth.  The form of the ballot shall be outlined in Section 3.
2. Any part of Northeast statute that conflicts with the act is repealed in every part that contains the conflict.
3. This act takes effect on becoming law.

Section 3.
1. The relevant election administrator shall provide the following text, or a text that conveys the same meaning and definition, in the opening post of the voting booth: "Editing the post containing your ballot in any way after 20 minutes of it being posted will invalidate your entire ballot."

[Barnes]

As CJO, I enforced the NOTA provisions in every voting booth that I maintained. I wouldn't be opposed to removing the option, however.

Also, Dallas, thanks for making the whole sample ballot. I was planning on it but then other things got in the way!

[Barnes]

The entire procedure seems to have slipped over the last few days.  I move to extend debate if such a motion is still in order. 

If such a motion is not in order, I will advise all members not to approve the legislation as it stands and wait until a further revised version is reintroduced.

[Barnes]

Nay