Transcript Highlights:

• And we have enough time for recounts and other such measures.
• This was not discovered until the recount, and with their client down by just four votes, lawyers for
• The counting of spoiled ballots is never allowed at a recount, and our attorney at the recount cited
• But the person running the recount, a town clerk from another town by the name of Trudy Reed, allowed
• Under no circumstances can spoiled ballots be counted at a recount.'

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Election Laws held a hearing on several election-related bills, with most testimony focused on voting access, ballot administration, and election procedures. Senator Driscoll testified for S. 509, a Randolph home rule petition to require bilingual ballots in English and Haitian Creole, and Randolph officials and community members strongly supported it, saying it would improve access, confidence, and participation for Haitian Creole speakers. Other speakers, including advocates and residents, described language barriers as a form of voter suppression and urged favorable action. Leader Donato testified on H. 822, which would remove the word “physical” from the absentee voting disability standard, and on a bill to raise the signature threshold for creating political designations and allow dormant designations to be dissolved. Senator Rausch testified on several bills, including one expanding the State Ballot Law Commission’s jurisdiction over presidential primary candidate placement and a broader elections infrastructure bill that would change registration deadlines, primary dates, reporting systems, ballot design, mail voting procedures, and voter outreach. Representative Cattelda also testified on a bill to rename the ballot title for governor’s councilor to “governor’s counselor.” The Massachusetts Town Clerks Association, through Tom Joyce and Ben Kaufman, said it supported a number of the bills and offered local election administration expertise. Former Representative Lenny Mera and Sandra Cato testified for S. 536, a bill on accountability for defective and spoiled ballots, citing a disputed 2022 Revere recount and arguing that spoiled ballots should be documented and publicly inspectable so improperly rejected ballots are not lost. Emma Chinman of Partners in Democracy supported multiple reforms, including the elections infrastructure bill and a bill allowing unenrolled voters to serve on boards of registrars. After testimony concluded, the committee accepted written testimony by email and then adjourned without taking any votes.

Transcript Highlights:

• I have seen them run through the machines during a recount, but not during the partial manual recount
• So, you know, the machine can sort it by precinct in a recount.
• Because I have heard complaints that someone paid for a recount.
• It's not a total recount.
• Well, when you just recounted this, you're recounting a precinct, but these people voted on a whole variety

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 3709, which would change the partial manual audit process so early voting could be audited by voting location rather than by randomly selected precincts. The author and several supporters said the current precinct-based process is antiquated, labor-intensive, and especially difficult in countywide voting systems and large counties. Opponents and some neutral witnesses raised concerns about whether the change would still allow an apples-to-apples audit against official precinct results, whether random selection procedures should be more clearly defined, and how ballot secrecy and mail ballots would be handled. The Secretary of State’s office said counties already use random selection methods and that the bill would largely standardize early voting audits with election-day procedures, while also noting ballot privacy issues can arise in public records requests. After testimony, the bill was left pending. The committee then took up House Bill 766, as substituted, which would require precinct chair applicants to provide an email address, phone number, or both, while making that contact information confidential. Supporters said the change would help parties and local officials contact applicants more efficiently. Opponents argued it could expose personal contact information to public records requests and harassment, and some suggested the information should instead be handled through party rules. The bill was left pending after the committee substitute was withdrawn. House Bill 3775 followed and would set clearer timelines for when early voting ballot boards may begin opening carrier envelopes, with different start times based on county size. Supporters said the bill would address counties opening ballots too early and improve ballot security, while opponents warned it could delay defect notices and cure opportunities for mail voters and create problems in large counties that process high volumes of ballots. Testimony also focused on whether the bill referred to carrier envelopes or secrecy envelopes and on how counties like Harris County currently image and secure ballot materials. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 4275, which would require countywide polling systems to have polling places in each election precinct, intended to address uneven distribution of polling locations across county commissioner precincts. Supporters said the bill would make polling place distribution fairer and more consistent, especially in Harris County, while opponents said it would undermine countywide voting, increase costs, require more equipment and staff, and reduce local flexibility. Several witnesses also raised concerns about ballot secrecy and the practical burden on large and rural counties. The bill remained under discussion as testimony continued.

Transcript Highlights:

• recount there were recounts costs of the recount there were recounts at<00:56:50.760> all<00:56
• <00:56:59.000> are post-election reviews these recounts are post-election reviews these recounts
• <00:57:20.319> process<00:57:20.760> consistently recount process consistently recount
• And then they would be responsible for paying the full cost of that recount.
• <01:02:35.279> as that that's specifically for recounts as that that's specifically for recounts

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The Minnesota House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee met to begin its session with member and staff introductions, then heard an overview from Secretary of State Steve Simon and elections director Paul Linnell on the state’s elections administration and budget needs. Simon said the office’s committee-jurisdiction budget request was for the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) election security grant match: Minnesota received about $1 million in federal funds in 2024 and needs a $200,000 state match to unlock the money for election security navigator work. He also previewed the office’s broader presentation on the 2024 election, outreach efforts, and election security. Simon described the 2024 election cycle as successful, saying his administrative goals were high turnout and low drama. He reported that Minnesota had very high turnout in the November election, with more than 3.27 million ballots cast and about 76.4% turnout, and noted that more than 1.3 million voters cast ballots before Election Day. He also highlighted outreach and accessibility efforts, including the Students Voting Program, Youth Day at the Capitol, National Voter Registration Day activities, expanded online voter tools in additional languages, and work to inform eligible Minnesotans about the Restore the Vote law for people leaving prison. He emphasized that elections are a team effort carried out largely by counties, cities, townships, and election judges. Linnell then explained the state’s election administration structure and responsibilities, including the Statewide Voter Registration System, candidate filing and election reporting systems, voting equipment certification, and post-election performance reviews. He said counties are central to voter registration updates and ballot preparation, and noted that in 2024 there were a handful of counties with ballot errors that required court action, with a vendor process change identified as a contributing factor. Committee members asked for more detail on the number and identity of the affected counties. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting reflected in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this P5 policy is designed primarily to cover election contests and recount legal fees, but you'll
• So, this P5 policy is designed primarily to cover election contests and recount legal fees, but you'll
• So, this P5 policy is designed primarily to cover election contests and recount legal fees, but you'll
• So, this P5 policy is designed primarily to cover election contests and recount legal fees, but you'll
• So, this P5 policy is designed primarily to cover election contests and recount legal fees, but you'll

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Committee on Rules and Legislative Administration met with a quorum and took up a series of annual housekeeping resolutions governing House operations and member/staff policies. The committee heard brief explanations from House Controller Pete Squa and HR Director Kelly Knight on each item, including the 2025 P1 service award policy, donated time policy, compensatory time and time card policy, interim/per diem classification, legal fees policy, staff photo/digital image fees, chaplain compensation, leadership compensation, member expense reimbursement, member stationery allocation, postage and digital constituent communications, member communication reimbursement, alcohol consumption policy, remote work policy, drug use policy, and the high school page/internship program reimbursement policy. Most resolutions were adopted without controversy, often with only minor clarifications or no changes from prior years. Notable changes included clarifying donated time limits, refining compensatory time language, updating leadership compensation positions to reflect the new organization, adding a Greater Minnesota mileage option in the member expense reimbursement policy, removing obsolete long-distance reimbursement language from member communication reimbursements, updating the alcohol policy location reference to the Centennial Office Building, and increasing high school page reimbursement from $10 to $15 per day. The committee also noted the House roster staff roster is on file with the controller as required by House Rule 8.20. Two items were set aside for further review: the P5 legal fees resolution was tabled after members raised questions about prior use of the policy and whether the language should be revised in light of past circumstances, and the R5 postage/digital constituent communications resolution was also tabled after Representative Schultz proposed allowing members to choose either 100% digital communications or a 70% digital/30% postage split. The R9 drug use policy was likewise tabled after Representative Engen asked whether changes in state marijuana law affected the policy. All other resolutions brought to a vote were approved and adopted, and the committee then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's making a powerful statement that we once again recount our stand as a state of Alabama with the
• It's making a powerful statement that we once again recount our stand as a state of Alabama with the
• It's making a powerful statement that we once again recount our stand as a state of Alabama with the
• It's making a powerful statement that we once again recount our stand as a state of Alabama with the
• It's making a powerful statement that we once again recount our stand as a state of Alabama with the

Bills: SB8, SB22, SB137, HB295, HB2, HB343, HB220, HB303, HB81, SB8, SB22, SB137, HB295, HB2, HB343, HB220, HB303, HB81

Keywords: emergency management, public funds, educational materials, state legislation, disaster response, uniformity, state laws, legislative commission, appointments, government structure, resilience, natural disasters, risk management, Alabama Resilience Council, Chief Resilience Officer, state planning, environmental protection, community preparedness, Alabama Office of Civic Engagement, Alabama Office of Minority Affairs

Transcript Highlights:

• The Senate did not for recounts.
• Have a hand ahead, have a recount. Have a hand recount. recount. recount.
• Once HB48 makes during recounts.
• . recounts. recounts.
• >> Elections handc count for recounts. >> Elections handc count for recounts.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• had<00:16:56.880> to<00:16:57.040> conduct Several counties had to conduct the recount
• For this reason, among others, a limited hand recount for audits is very useful, but I would discourage
• 2021 races for certain offices, including the General Assembly, became the subject of an automatic recount
• 2021 races for certain offices, including the General Assembly, became the subject of an automatic recount
• This hand-to-eye manual recount process also proved the accuracy of the ballot scanners and the results

Keywords: Consideration of HB 27 00:04:20 Presentation by Secretary of State 00:10:44 Presentation by Karen Sellers and Jason Denny 00:35:56 Consideration of HB 45 00:55:36, 958, all

Summary: The committee first handled House Bill 27, which would remove the prohibition on political yard signs in planned communities statewide while still allowing communities to regulate size, placement, and duration. The sponsor said the 2023 Planned Communities Act created an unintended consequence by treating similar homeowners differently based on grandfathering dates, and a legal explanation was offered that the bill would clarify the law and avoid constitutional problems. After discussion, the committee voted 15-0 to pass the bill with favorable expression. The next item was an update from the Secretary of State on the 2024 election and implementation of House Bill 53, which created prompt post-election audits. He said the audits were carried out smoothly, most found no discrepancies, and no election winners changed, though he recommended adding a specific timeline to the law. He also discussed voter-roll maintenance, saying Kentucky has removed more than 440,000 ineligible voters since 2020, and argued that federal law and limited access to federal databases remain the main obstacles to faster cleanup. Members asked about the possibility of improper removals, double voting across states, and how provisional voting works. The Secretary said anyone improperly removed can reregister, that any double-voting abuse is likely marginal but still unacceptable, and that provisional ballots are available when eligibility is in doubt and can be reviewed by the county board of elections. He also urged Congress to modernize the 1993 federal voter-registration law, improve access to death and citizenship data, and create a central interstate information-sharing system for election officials.

Transcript Highlights:

• I also would like to say that the process of counting and, in my race, recounting votes was accomplished
• I also would like to say that the process of counting and, in my race, recounting votes was accomplished
• I also would like to say that the process of counting and, in my race, recounting votes was accomplished
• and hand counts in just doing recounts and hand counts in this<00:25:33.440> case<00:25:34.120
• process that often convoluted recount process that often takes<01:14:22.280> days<01:14:22.480

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Right now, ahead of an election contest, generally there is Generally, there is a recount that's called
• Right, there's a recount first, then those results are canvassed, and then a contest is filed.
• This process really is sort of the precursor to our recount process.
• And so because of that, it's just not often that a judge is prescribing people to recount the ballots
• again, because typically that is happening through the full recount process that's laid out in statute

Bills: HF2354, HF1672, HF2389, HF2870, HF2743, HF1918, HF2551, HF1671

Keywords: medical assistance, fraud prevention, subpoena authority, criminal penalties, consumer protection, medical cannabis, medical marijuana, cannabis, cannabinoids, hemp, marijuana registry, patient registry, visiting patient, Tribal cannabis, Tribal medical cannabis program, Tribal sovereignty, Office of Cannabis Management, designated caregiver, home cultivation, adult-use cannabis

Transcript Highlights:

• I have seen them run through the machines during a recount, but not during the partial manual recount
• You know, the machine can sort it by precinct in a recount, if there's a recount done.
• Because I have heard complaints that someone paid for a recount.
• So, I just want to make sure: if I lose and we have a recount, will this ensure that I win?
• So, you don't have time to sit and hand-count all these in a recount and then...

Bills: HB569, HB766, HB1638, HB2316, HB2773, HB2785, HB3113, HB3709, HB3775, HB4275

Keywords: early voting, ballot correction, voting rights, election integrity, mail-in voting, voter notification, HB 766, precinct chair, precinct chair candidate, ballot application, Texas Election Code, Section 172.021, election administration, candidate filing, party precinct chair, county party, political party office, email address, telephone number, confidential candidate information

Transcript Highlights:

• And I think if you pay attention to any recounts and things, those voting devices are very accurate I
• And then finally, a relatively new fund is the statewide recount fund.
• in a state question election, which previously there were no recounts allowed for those.
• I'm skeptical that $250,000 would actually cover the full cost of a statewide recount, so it's we're
• not Requesting it now, but if we end up in a situation where we do have a statewide recount on a state

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's not going to put everybody in an automatic recount.
• Is is go back through a little recount.
• Nothing in this subject to recount.
• close that there shall be a recount close that there shall be a recount automatically.<02:13:37.760
• This is all beyond the recount process.

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we have numerous recounts and audits of these machines.
• Information from a recount, an official recount, that shows the problems with the machines, and I have
• on quite a few uh observer at recounts on quite a few uh different<04:06:46.359> recount<04:06
• It is not an audit or recount.
• So this is not a recount. It's not an audit.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And the only time the audit is not completed is if there has been a manual recount, which is itself a
• And our law covers when the percentages get within a certain range that the manual recount is required
• And the only time the audit is not completed is if there has been a manual recount, which is itself a
• And our law covers when the percentages get within a certain range that the manual recount is required
• He said that is how recounts work.

Summary: The Government Operations Subcommittee met to hear a lengthy presentation from Secretary of State Cord Byrd on Florida election administration, with a focus on how elections are handled during natural disasters, election security, and preparations for the 2026 cycle. Byrd described Florida’s response to hurricanes in 2022 and 2024, saying the state works directly with county supervisors of elections to tailor executive orders to local conditions, add or relocate polling sites, extend deadlines, and help displaced voters and emergency workers cast ballots. Members from affected areas echoed that local supervisors had managed storm disruptions well and that turnout remained strong despite major damage. A large portion of the meeting covered election integrity and security. Byrd emphasized Florida’s use of paper ballots, pre-election logic and accuracy testing, post-election audits, public canvassing, standardized voter-intent rules, and strict vote-by-mail request and signature-match requirements. He said the Department of State’s Office of Election Crimes and Security investigates complaints and refers matters to law enforcement, and that Florida has expanded access to the federal SAVE database to verify citizenship. Members asked about threats to election workers, staffing vacancies, cybersecurity, ballot design, vote-by-mail address changes, and how the state coordinates with county supervisors, emergency management, and other agencies. Several members raised questions about voter eligibility and returning citizens, and Byrd said the department provides free information to help people determine whether their rights have been restored, while noting that court and clerk reporting practices still create challenges. He also said the department is considering additional legislative proposals, including more safeguards tied to driver’s license and citizenship verification and a possible statewide 100% audit of races before certification. The meeting ended with the chair encouraging members to visit supervisors of elections offices and submit specific ideas for future elections legislation; no votes were taken and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• That was confirmed in the manual recount of the ballots.
• That was confirmed in the manual recount of the ballots.
• It recounts the exhaustive investigation performed by Scott County elections manager Julie Hansen in
• investigation it recounts the exhaustive investigation performed<00:14:40.160> by<00:14:40.399
• Uh, Rule 7, uh, of the rules, uh, which was recounted by uh Chair Mhler, establishes a standard of proof

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We're trying to recount on 1516 pre-trial. Any reservations? No votes?
• We're<00:09:12.320> We're<00:09:12.480> trying<00:09:12.720> to<00:09:12.840> recount
• <00:09:14.040> on<00:09:14.520> 1516 We're We're trying to recount on 1516 We're We're
• trying to recount on 1516 pre-trial.<00:09:16.200> Any<00:09:16.440> reservations?

Bills: HB2241, HB1163, HB1514, HB1696, HB2021, SB2135, SB2466, SB2727, SB3082, SB3097, SB2861, SCR100, SB3096, SB99, SB2138, HB2289, HB2319, HB1711, HB2270, SB3138, SB3076, HB1642, HB2338, HB2171, HB1785, SB2881, HB2505, SB2552, HB1518, HB1815, SB3125, SB3234, SCR162, SB2614, SB3118, SB2053, SB2494, SB2851, SB3073, HB1678, HB1721, HB2475, HB2246, HB1667, HB1516, SB2532, SB3131, SB3154, HB2297, HB1737, SB2143, SB2398, SB2623, HB1740, HB1920, HB1682, SB2153, SB3140, HB2158, HB1718, HB2207, HB1801, SB3229, SB2338, SB3069, SB2600, HB2300, HB1800, HB1960, SB2999, SB2060, SB2866, SB2239, HB1741, HB1713, HB2023, HB2417, SB2877, SB2598, SB2921, SB2645, HB2547, HB2275, HB2452, HB2329, HB2339, HB1838, HB1509, HB1661, HB2271, HB2272, HB2344, HB1888, HB1707, SB2340, HB2474, HB1576, HB1853, HB1804, HB1854, HB2095, HB2050, HB472, SB3215, SB2247, SB2400, HB1618, HB1802, HB1969, HB1541, HB2310, HB2498, HB2443, HB2218, HB649, HB2104, HB1710, SB2802, HB1973, HB1974, HB1894, HB1891, HB1890, SB177, SB2101, SB3320, SB2487, HB2429, HB1870, HB1839, HB2583, HB1391, HB2094, SB2671, SB2673, SB2892, SB2057, SB3245, HB306, HB2592, SB3157, SB3204, SB3324, SB2580, SB2074, SB411, SB3025, SB2934, SB2567, SB2125, SB3238, SB2367, SB2599, SB3007, SB2001, SB2756, SB3029

Keywords: renewable energy, income tax credit, solar energy, wind energy, low-income households, energy policy, commercial drivers license, non-domiciled, federal regulations, commercial learner's permit, citizenship, lawful residency, Department of Transportation, workers' compensation, vocational rehabilitation, injury recovery, employment services, return to work, commercial driving, driver's license

Transcript Highlights:

• The post-election audit bill recounts. The post-election audit bill recounts.
• The post-election audit bill is not a recount, but a measure to is not a recount, but a measure to is
• Who going who going to do the do the do the recount? Who going to do the recount? recount?
• Who going to do the recount? recount? Who going to do the recount?
• if there's a 1% automatic recount if there's a 1% automatic recount if there's a 1% difference in an

Keywords: 1136, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• On Saturday, November 9th, 2024, the Williamson County Election Department began a partial manual recount
• school board candidate, arrived at the election department at 10:30 a.m. to witness the partial manual recount
• Elections and have trained more than 1,200 election poll watchers, central counting station watchers, and recount
• I personally have been an election watcher in Travis and Williamson Counties, and I've been a recount
• personally with them, provided them this information, and repeatedly followed up with only a few of the recount

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

Transcript Highlights:

• I mean, we had a recount. It's about 3,000 votes, and you certainly can get that information.
• No, no, nobody's got the money to pay for a recount, nor the time, nor the resources. Right?
• a full recount, because this programming error would have impacted the outcome of that race.
• Recount to do a full recount because this programming error would have impacted the outcome of that race
• recounted, and then the first recount was then finished.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . recounts. recounts.
• for hand recounts and hand audits<00:57:54.960> of<00:57:55.680> the<00:57:55.920>
• <00:58:52.480> in make time for uh hand recounts in make time for uh hand recounts in certain
• And just as I said, I think we need to place this in the larger recount bill.
• Um, and you know, larger recount bill.

Bills: SF0102, SF0113

Keywords: energy transmission, load growth, Wyoming energy authority, transmission planning study, public utilities, regional cooperation, hand count audit, ballots, election integrity, transparency, voting system, 916, all