Video & Transcript Research : 'ballots'
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AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- When this ends up on people's ballots, on their mail-in ballots...
- Thank you. ...people's ballots, on their mail-in ballots.
- Seven referrals on the ballot. The last ballot we had, I think, what, five, a whole bunch.
- up this ballot already.
- ballot to confuse voters.
FL
Florida 2026 4th Special Session
February 5, 2026 - 12:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- It provides for greater ballot integrity by requiring all voting to be by paper ballot unless a person
- I don't mail in my ballot.
- They died over access to the ballot box.
- Shouldn't we want more access to the ballot?
- They will always defer to a provisional ballot, always.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a ballot in May of '22 in Williamson County.
- The ballot style, which is 310.
- When you count by precinct on Election Day, you're pulling ballots from multiple different ballot boxes
- to be voted by mail and other balloting materials.
- That bill is about the text on an application for a ballot to be voted by mail and other balloting materials
Bills:
HB223
Keywords:
municipal budget, county budget, local government finance, spending cap, expenditure limit, inflation plus population growth, taxpayer impact statement, budget transparency, property tax, fees, Legislative Budget Board, voter approval, disaster spending, fiscal restraint, Texas Local Government Code, city budget, county expenditures
Summary:
The Committee on State Affairs heard several House bills, with most measures left pending after testimony and later taken up in a batch of votes. Early in the meeting, HB 5624 on liability protections for motocross/off-road vehicle tracks, HB 223 on requiring competitive procurement for municipal lobbying contracts, HB 3709 on post-election audit procedures, and HB 5081 on protecting personal information of judicial officers and court staff were all discussed and left pending after testimony. Witnesses on HB 223 supported greater transparency in municipal lobbying contracts. HB 3709 drew sharp opposition from an election integrity advocate who argued the bill would reduce precinct-level granularity and make it harder to detect ballot errors, while a Secretary of State resource witness said the bill would simplify and standardize the audit process by location. HB 5081 received strong support from court administration and a district judge who described prior threats and an attack tied to publicly available personal information.
The committee also heard HB 3546 on allowing school districts to move elections to November, HB 493 on barring certain felony offenders from serving as poll watchers, HB 5115 on increasing penalties for election fraud and related conduct, HB 4081 on trade secret filing procedures, HB 3909 on limiting restrictions on wireless devices at polling places, HB 2702 on limiting gubernatorial closure authority for certain veterans organizations during pandemics, HB 119 on foreign adversary lobbying, and HB 5138 on the Attorney General’s authority to prosecute election crimes. Several of these bills were explained with committee substitutes and then left pending before final action. Testimony on HB 493 and HB 5115 came from an election integrity advocate who supported both bills, saying the poll watcher restriction was appropriately narrowed and that the election fraud bill would help address invalid votes and refusal to count valid votes.
Later, the committee took up pending business and voted out a large number of bills, generally along party lines or with broad support. HB 186 on minors’ social media use, HB 229, HB 2885, HB 3909 as substituted, HB 4285, HB 1661, HB 2820, HB 3181, HB 4157, HB 223, HB 521, HB 640, HB 1234, HB 2253, HB 2294, HB 3053, HB 3697 as substituted, HB 4281, HB 4463, HB 4995, HB 5081 as substituted, HB 5624 as substituted, HB 119 as substituted, HB 3225, HB 5138 as substituted, HB 5115, HB 481 as substituted, HB 3546, HB 493, and HB 4145 were reported favorably to the full Senate, with several also placed on the local and uncontested calendar. The committee also adopted committee substitutes for multiple bills, including HB 3909, HB 5081, HB 5624, HB 119, HB 5138, and HB 481. At the end, the chair noted another committee meeting would likely be needed before deadlines, possibly on a weekend, and recessed the committee subject to the call of the chair.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- That's the kind of ballot language that makes people just vote no.
- I think our language on the ballot confuses the citizens.
- I'm watching the ballot, you know, not the ballot, but the race before the four weeks, and you're hearing
- The ballot language got real wonky. We were trying to explain it to people.
- They went to the ballot box. I got about 45% at the ballot box.
Keywords:
HB 287, Louisiana Tax Commission, ad valorem, property tax, property assessment, assessment fees, fee extension, sunset extension, public service property, utility property, insurance company property, financial institution property, tax administration, R.S. 47:1838, Act 296, reappraisal, ad valorem tax, valuation, Louisiana tax law, homestead exemption
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- ><c> eliminates</c> ballot primary really eliminates ballot primary really eliminates um<00:41:55.760
- </c> also the idea that as a single ballot also the idea that as a single ballot primary<00:44:43.280
- So, though it's imperfect, a partisan ballot, or a ballot that reflects the party of the candidates,
- </c> get down the ballot, less people vote. get down the ballot, less people vote.
- </c> required to be at the end of the ballot. required to be at the end of the ballot.
Summary:
The committee first held a public hearing on CACR 30, a constitutional amendment that would make Public Utilities Commission members elected rather than appointed. Representative Thomas Opel testified in support, arguing that rising energy costs and the utility rate-setting structure make the PUC too insulated from ratepayers, and that elected commissioners would be more accountable. He also said the proposal should ideally include a ban on contributions from regulated utilities to PUC campaigns, and acknowledged the draft had errors and needed work. Representative Lane questioned whether a contribution ban would be constitutional, and Opel said there may be ways to structure one to survive legal challenge. The hearing closed with five online supporters and two opponents reported, and no one else testified.
The committee then went into executive session on House Bill 1062, authorizing the Secretary of State to conduct random audits of voters’ citizenship qualifications. Representative Newsome offered an amendment to clarify how voters with no evidence either way would be treated and to require a public report on audit results, including referrals, costs, and databases used. Representative Aqua opposed the amendment, saying the bill should pass as written. The amendment failed 9-7, and after further debate over privacy and the purpose of audits, the committee voted 9-7 to recommend ought to pass on HB 1062. Representative Barry was assigned the majority report and Representative Newsome the minority report.
The committee next considered House Bill 1388, which would clarify the form of ballots for constitutional amendments. Representative Weary said the bill simply provides clarity for voters and imposes no hardship on the Secretary of State’s office. The committee unanimously voted 17-0 to recommend ought to pass and placed the bill on the consent calendar.
Finally, the committee opened a public hearing on House Bill 1125, enabling school districts to adopt partisan school district elections. Representative Weary said partisan labels would help voters understand candidate positions and address low turnout in local elections. He emphasized the bill is enabling, not mandatory. Members questioned why the change was needed if few municipalities have used existing authority, and whether it would increase divisiveness. Weary said many voters are unaware of the option and that partisan labels would give them more information. The hearing closed with five online supporters and 184 opponents. The committee then began executive session on House Bill 1187, concerning the filing deadline for special-election candidates for state representative, but discussion was still ongoing in the transcript.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
- Cast up the ballot.
- Cast up the ballot.
- Cast up the ballot.
- Cast up the ballot.
- Cast up the ballot.
Summary:
The House convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, established a quorum, and received a Joint Budget Committee report on several bills. The chamber also recognized guests, including state troopers, a doctor of the day, visitors from civic and advocacy groups, and students from the Arkansas School for Math, Science, and the Arts. The House adopted House Resolution 1034, supporting Arkansas poultry producers in the Illinois River watershed and urging good-faith negotiations, by a 97-0 vote. It also adopted House Concurrent Memorial Resolution 1001 honoring Bishop Kenneth Liddell Robinson, Sr., by a 98-0 vote.
The House then considered several amendments to appropriation bills, including changes affecting the Department of Education, public safety, county jail reimbursement language, Agriculture fee waivers, the Drug Task Force, pregnancy help organizations, and tire recycling fees. All of those amendments were adopted without recorded opposition. The chamber then moved through a budget calendar, with leadership explaining that some bills were general appropriations, some were reappropriations for ongoing capital projects, and four were supplemental appropriations.
On final passage, House Bill 1006 passed 87-5; House Bill 1053, the appropriation for the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, failed 71-19; House Bill 1086 passed 96-0; House Bill 1087 passed 81-8; House Bill 1088 passed 97-0; House Bill 1094 passed 96-1; House Bill 1084 passed 96-0; House Bill 1097 passed 75-16; and House Bill 1098 failed 0-85 after Representative Henley spoke against it and said leadership had not responded to questions. The House then adopted a motion to adjourn until 11 a.m. the next day.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Election Laws Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Election Laws
Transcript Highlights:
- down and saw over 15 candidates on my ballot, and I had to figure out what to do.
- And if I simply wanted to cast a ballot for one person, I could do that.
- that voters found ranked choice ballots to be intuitive.
- Yeah, can you see what a ballot looks like? Robin Terossian: A little better.
- Yeah, can you see what a ballot looks like?
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a public hearing focused primarily on ranked choice voting (RCV) legislation and several local home rule petitions, along with one petition to authorize remote participation in Concord town meetings. Chairs Keenan and Hunt outlined hearing procedures and noted the committee would hear both in-person and virtual testimony. The committee also took testimony on Concord’s request for remote participation in open and special town meetings, with supporters arguing it would make town meeting more accessible to residents with childcare, mobility, work, or disability barriers while preserving direct democracy.
A large portion of the hearing centered on RCV local-option bills and municipal petitions from communities including Concord, East Hampton, Salem, Chelsea, Arlington, Revere, Amherst, and others. Supporters—among them local officials, legislators, election advocates, educators, veterans, and nonprofit leaders—said RCV would reduce vote-splitting, encourage more candidates, promote more positive campaigning, improve representation, and increase turnout. East Hampton officials described their existing use of RCV, saying it produced record turnout, was easy for voters to understand with education, and could be expanded to multi-winner races without major added cost. Concord and Amherst witnesses said their voters had already approved local steps toward RCV and urged the committee to let municipalities implement the system without further delay.
Testimony in favor of the local-option RCV bill emphasized home rule and local control, with several witnesses arguing the state should not block communities that have already voted to adopt RCV. Speakers from MassVOTE, the AFT Massachusetts, Voter Choice Massachusetts, Progressive Massachusetts, the Boston Teachers Union, and Veterans for All Voters said the reform would strengthen democracy, broaden participation, and save money by avoiding low-turnout preliminary elections. Some witnesses also referenced examples from Cambridge, Maine, and Utah to argue that RCV is workable, nonpartisan, and familiar to voters. The hearing ended with no votes or final committee action taken in the transcript provided.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Forty Four - Tuesday, March 31 - Afternoon Session
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- be on the ballot, you'll vote for yourself, and you make sure that that works.
- sure that they have the proper ballot if they're out in the county someplace.
- But currently in our system, we It's really hard for you to cast a ballot.
- At least the person is out and can come into the voting area to cast a ballot.
- ballot, regardless of the language involved.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Most and what offices are on the ballot.
- Um this bill uh individual's ballot.
- about what offices might appear on someone's ballot.
- </c><00:14:55.279><c> that</c> in an election, there were ballots that in an election, there were ballots
- ,</c><00:16:09.360><c> I</c> you look at uh websites like ballot, I you look at uh websites like ballot
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- Just look at the ballot measures.
- When this ends up on people's ballots, on their mail-in ballots, we are stripping away...
- Our last ballot, I think, had five. We had a four-page ballot.
- up this ballot already.
- And they're rushing this through to put another ballot initiative on the already long ballot to confuse
Summary:
The House convened, completed roll call, approved the journal, and took up several Senate bills and one Senate concurrent resolution through motions to reconsider, return bills for reconsideration, and refer measures to additional Committee of the Whole sessions for further amendment. Early actions included returning SB 1175 and SB 1198 to the Senate for reconsideration, rescinding passage of SB 1336 so it could be reconsidered, and referring SB 1111 and SB 152 to an additional COW. The House also recognized Representative Travers for a personal privilege statement honoring National Women Veterans Recognition Day and recorded attendance.
In Committee of the Whole, members adopted floor amendments and recommended passage for SB 1511, SB 1552, SB 1198, SB 1110, SB 1618, SB 1431, and SCR 1004, with some debate on SB 1110’s home-confinement/reentry program, SB 1618’s Military Affairs Commission changes, and SB 1431’s city and town authority over residential project standards and streetscapes. The House later adopted the COW reports and moved the measures to engrossing or third reading as appropriate. SB 1336 and SB 1519 were also advanced from committee, while SB 1004 was reconsidered and ultimately failed on reconsideration.
On third or final reading, the House passed SB 1127, SB 1180, SB 1428, SB 1198, SB 1336, SB 1511, SCR 1004, SB 1552, HB 2104, HB 2105, HB 2114, HB 2311, HB 2729, and HB 4117. SB 1687, SB 1004, SB 1519, and SB 1502 failed. Members explained votes on several measures, including support for tax administration clarity in SB 1180, objections and support for the May primary proposal in SB 1687, concerns about sex offender monitoring in SB 1004, support for the Arizona Beef Council in SB 1198, and debate over the photo enforcement referral in SCR 1004. The session also included recesses for caucuses, lunch, and dinner, plus a brief technical outage of the live stream.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Fiscal Policy Apr 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- ALSO THE BALLOT.
- Grall: THAT WAS A BALLOT INITIATIVE PETITION, NOT CANDIDATE PETITIONS. >> Sen.
- AFTER IT'S ACTUALLY BEEN CERTIFIED TO BE PUT ON THE BALLOT.
- THIS IS A CITIZEN LED BALLOT INITIATIVE PROCESS. CITIZENS.
- THE LEGISLATURE HAS MADE IT HARDER FOR FLORIDIANS TO PUT AMENDMENTS ON THE BALLOT.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- And I will not take any ballot.
- </c> placing the question on the ballot? placing the question on the ballot?
- </c> CACR and we put that onto the ballot. CACR and we put that onto the ballot.
- </c> in the ballot. in the ballot.
- </c> people for the November ballot. Right. people for the November ballot. Right.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> cast their ballot cast their ballot um<01:43:24.159><c> you've</c><01:43:24.360><c> heard</c><01
- 02:00:11.239><c> um</c> Bill 217 relative to absentee ballots um Bill 217 relative to absentee ballots
- </c> gives the new address to the ballot gives the new address to the ballot clerk<03:33:06.080><c> who
- </c> doic when they walk up to the ballot doic when they walk up to the ballot clerk<03:40:47.520><c>
- </c> delivery of V ballots from 5:00 P p.m. delivery of V ballots from 5:00 P p.m. to<04:39:13.840><c
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> ballots only go to eligible households. ballots only go to eligible households.
- </c> that do not have provisional ballots. that do not have provisional ballots.
- </c> legitimate ballots. legitimate ballots.
- </c> Provisional ballots.
- , or permanent absentee ballot mail-in balloting.
VT
Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session
Judicial Retention - 2026-03-25 - 10:30AM
Vermont Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The ballot that you will receive will contain these questions in print form on a single ballot.
- Is there anyone who has not received a ballot? If one person in the back needs a ballot.
- </c> chamber during the counting of ballots. chamber during the counting of ballots.
- </c><01:25:56.320><c> Before</c> ballots has been completed. Before ballots has been completed.
- Is there anyone who has not received a ballot? If one person in the back needs a ballot.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Ballot printing and related election costs reflect that volume.
- But it will produce a paper ballot.
- You can't do it when you're on the ballot.
- And so there will be local elections on many people’s ballot.
- They can select a Republican ballot, or they can select a Democratic ballot, or they can choose to get
Summary:
The committee first discussed Citizens Property Insurance assessments and related bond payments. Members clarified that the assessment was statewide, not limited to South Louisiana, and that taxpayers received an income tax credit to soften the impact. Staff said the assessment had been stopped and the bonds were being paid off, though one member asked for the total amount collected and the average annual cost, which staff agreed to provide later. The exchange also noted ongoing work by the Insurance Commissioner on reinsurance and efforts to improve market conditions.
The bulk of the meeting focused on the Secretary of State’s FY27 budget and election administration. House Fiscal Division presented a recommended budget of $128.6 million and 367 positions, with elections making up the largest share. Secretary Nancy Landry described implementation of Louisiana’s first closed party primary, statewide voter education efforts, and the procurement process for a new voting system that will produce a voter-verifiable paper ballot and support risk-limiting audits. Members asked about polling place confusion, machine replacement costs, election commissioner pay, and the cost of closed primaries; staff said the five-year added cost of the closed primary system was estimated at about $31.5 million. No vote was taken on the budget in the excerpt.
The Department of Veterans Affairs budget was then reviewed, showing $105.2 million and 127 positions for the department, plus funding for veterans homes. Members raised serious concerns about delays in processing Louisiana National Guard disability claims, with several constituents reportedly waiting about a year for approved payments. Department officials said the backlog had been reduced but that about $950,000 in approved claims remained unfunded, and they agreed to provide more information and meet with lawmakers. Additional questions addressed veterans home funding, service-connected care, and wound care costs. Committee members suggested an oversight hearing and asked the department to work on possible statutory changes; the meeting ended with adjournment.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The second box is the ballot box, where you make yourself heard.
- They're putting Democrats on the Republican ballot and Republicans on the Democrat ballot.
- We still have to put everybody on the ballot and go through the process. Is that right?
- Excuse me, just so they can get on the ballot.
- And asked for our nomination, which would have put him on the general ballot twice.
Bills:
SB38, SB287, SB291, SB292, SB508, SB618, SB901, SB1436, SB1494, SB1626, SB1719, SB1999, SB1333, SB 38
Keywords:
evictions, property law, tenant rights, landlord responsibilities, justice court, court rules, SB 287, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code, sexually oriented business, adult entertainment, strip club, nude entertainment, live nude performance, alcohol prohibition, alcohol consumption, possession of alcohol, criminal offense, Class A misdemeanor, state jail felony, third degree felony
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- I think it's actually 7:00 p.m. for the ballots too.
- </c> their car and running up to the ballot their car and running up to the ballot box<00:13:52.240><
- has to arrive by mail-in ballot has to arrive by uh,<00:14:44.400><c> by</c><00:14:44.600><c> the</c
- So, if it came if for the ballots too.
- </c><00:15:41.520><c> was</c> leave in question if that ballot was leave in question if that ballot was
Summary:
The Judiciary Committee heard Governor’s Message 572, the nomination of Kirsten Walker to the Commission on the Status of Women, and received testimony in strong support from representatives of the Hawaii State Commission on the Status of Women, the Hawaii State LGBTQ+ Commission, and others. Walker described nearly a decade of community advocacy focused on women, gender-diverse people, homelessness, domestic violence, substance use, reproductive and gender-diverse health care, and support for criminalized communities. Members asked about the commission’s past work and future priorities, and Walker said it should continue supporting community initiatives, studies on violence, and women-led efforts. The committee voted to recommend advise and consent, with the measure adopted unanimously by the members present.
The committee then considered Governor’s Message 685, the nomination of Arielle Castillo to the Board of Registration of the Island of Oahu. Testimony from supporters emphasized her civic engagement, volunteer work, and willingness to serve in uncompensated state work. Castillo said she had worked in local politics and voter engagement, including with Hawaii Alliance for Progressive Action, and explained her background in voter registration, election rules, and good-government efforts. Members questioned her on how she would handle close voting issues and whether her activism could affect her service; she said she would apply the law fairly, protect voting rights, and that her organization is nonpartisan and does not endorse candidates. The committee again recommended advise and consent, and the nomination was adopted.
Finally, the committee heard Governor’s Message 686, the nomination of Jonathan Simons to the Board of Registration of the Island of Hawaii. Supporters described him as thoughtful and analytical, and Simons said he is a Hilo civil engineer with a strong interest in civics and good governance. He said his role on the board would be to protect the franchise by preventing improper disenfranchisement and ensuring votes are counted appropriately, citing his mother’s work enforcing the Voting Rights Act. Members asked whether he would apply election laws fairly and without partisan bias; he said he would. The committee voted advise and consent on GM 686 as well, and all three nominations were adopted before adjournment.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Fraud Committee Meeting - 2025-10-14
Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- Madam Chair, at the time of registration, as well as at the time of submitting a ballot, every voter
- Attesting to and certifying at the time that they're registering and when they are casting a ballot.
- So in any of these cases where someone were to cast a ballot, if they were ineligible to vote.
- Do you know what other ballot?
- But the ballot that they cast still counted, correct?
MS
Mississippi 2026 Regular Session
MS Senate Floor - 11 February, 2026; 10:00 AM
Mississippi Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> before with other ballot initiatives. before with other ballot initiatives.
- initiative to be on the ballot?
- > ballot?
- </c> on the ballot? on the ballot?
- </c> The ballot initiative is a Trojan horse. The ballot initiative is a Trojan horse.