Video & Transcript Research : 'special elections'

Page 1 of 500
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Ethics and Elections Feb 4th, 2026

Ethics and Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • schedule fixed dates for a special primary election and special election.
  • a special election date if the governor does not comply with the deadlines for ordering a special election
  • Delayed special elections deny representation.
  • cost for that special election is $1.3 million—dollars that would The cost for that special election
  • forbid, you know, a special election, a special election in the middle of March.
Bills: S0460, S0748, S1180, S1334
Summary: The Committee on Ethics and Elections met with a quorum and took up several election-related bills. CS/SB 1180 by Senator Arrington, which creates a recall framework for elected community development district board members and also addresses synthetic turf regulation and CDD eligibility, was presented briefly and then approved unanimously. SB 460 by Senator Polsky, requiring the governor to call special elections within set deadlines after vacancies and allowing judicial relief if deadlines are not met, also passed unanimously after members discussed flexibility for emergencies and the cost of delayed elections. The committee then heard SB 748 by Senator Bracy Davis, which would add constitutional voting-rights restoration language to the sentencing score sheet given to felony defendants. Supporters said it would improve clarity and notice without changing eligibility, and the bill was favorably reported unanimously. The committee also confirmed several appointees, including Jim Milliken and Alicia McShea to the Juvenile Welfare Board of Pinellas County, Robert P. Estalas as Director of the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, and additional gubernatorial appointees listed on the agenda, all by favorable votes. The longest discussion centered on Senator Grall’s strike-all amendment for SB 1334, an elections bill dealing with citizenship verification, Real ID and SAVE database use, paper-ballot voting, candidate qualification rules, and related election administration changes. Supporters argued it would streamline verification and ensure only citizens vote, while opponents warned it would create burdens, disenfranchise eligible voters, and impose costs and administrative confusion. After extensive public testimony both for and against, the committee adopted an amendment to allow supervisors of elections to observe holidays when not otherwise required to be open, then approved the strike-all as amended by a 6-2 vote, with Senators Polsky and Bernard voting no. The meeting then adjourned after members recorded their votes on earlier items.
AL
Transcript Highlights:
  • for special election. for special election.
  • special election. special election.
  • pave the way for a special election. pave the way for a special election.
  • special election. special election.
  • for a special election. for a special election.
Bills: HB1
Summary: The Ways and Means General Fund Committee met in special session and took up only one bill, HB 1 by Rep. Chris Pringle, which would authorize a special election for certain congressional districts if the federal court lifts its injunction and allows the state to use the 2023 congressional map. Pringle said the bill only creates a pathway for that special election, and members were told the fiscal note estimates the election could cost about $4.5 million from the General Fund. Committee discussion focused on whether the bill was tied to recent federal court and Supreme Court rulings, including Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and the Purcell principle, and whether it would be too close to an election or create confusion. Several committee members pressed Pringle on whether the bill would reduce Black representation, whether Alabama had agreed not to revisit redistricting until 2030, and whether the 2023 map had previously been found discriminatory. Pringle repeatedly said he was not offering legal advice and that the matter was pending in federal court, while also saying the bill would simply allow voters to use the legislature’s 2023 map if the courts permit it. Rep. Ford raised concerns about the cost to the General Fund and competing budget priorities, and Rep. All questioned the timing and possible administrative confusion. Pringle responded that citizens would still be able to vote for candidates of their choosing. During the public hearing, speakers overwhelmingly opposed the bill. Jamaal Brown, Kenneth Sharpton, Eliza Jane Franklin, Pastor Richard Williams, Rep. Givan, Jacoby Bibbs, and Agnes Lover argued that the proposal would weaken Black voting power, revive a map they described as unfair or racist, and create unnecessary disruption so close to an election. Several speakers framed the issue as one of civil rights, fair representation, and trust in democracy, while others criticized the cost and said the legislature should focus on broader needs such as health care and mental health. No vote or final committee action was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/11/2026 - Senate Judiciary and Elections

Judiciary and Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • at least 14 days before an election rather than 11 days before an election in counties that do not contain
  • at least 14 days before an election rather than 11 days before an election in counties that do not contain
  • that the election precincts are designated.
  • In the 2024 election, they were running errands in Gallup, New Mexico, on Election Day, and it just so
  • Some chapters do use the state elections and the county elections.
Summary: The Judiciary and Elections Committee approved the minutes from February 18, February 20, and March 4, 2026, and then took up several election and traffic-related measures. House Bill 2006, which would require counties without a USPS processing and distribution center to mail printed sample ballots 14 days before an election instead of 11, was explained as a way to allow more time for mail delivery in affected counties. The Association of Counties supported the bill, and after brief discussion it passed on a 7-0 vote. House Bill 2109, dealing with hands-free driving penalties, drew extensive debate. The bill would raise penalties for repeat violations, add a penalty when a violation results in a motorcycle crash, and expand the prohibition to watching, recording, or streaming video on a device while driving. Two amendments were offered to remove the citation ban and to strike the “records” language, but members and witnesses raised concerns that the remaining video-streaming language was vague and could unintentionally affect dash cams, rear cameras, CarPlay, navigation, rideshare safety cameras, and other in-vehicle systems. After robust discussion, the committee held the bill without prejudice to allow a stakeholder meeting and possible revision. House Bill 2167, which would impose liability on the Attorney General for damages when a public nuisance or consumer fraud action is dismissed or found meritless under certain conditions, received divided testimony. Supporters argued it would curb overreach, while opponents said it would interfere with the AG’s ability to protect Arizonans. The committee approved the bill 4-3. Finally, HCR 2016, a referral measure that would eliminate county vote centers and on-site early voting and impose a precinct cap of 2,500 registered voters, drew strong opposition from voting rights groups, county officials, and rural and Navajo Nation witnesses who warned it would increase confusion, provisional ballots, costs, and access barriers. The committee did not act on the resolution and instead held it without prejudice for further stakeholder discussions.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House Constitution, Campaigns and Elections Committee Mar 5th, 2025

Constitution, Campaigns and Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • to the second Tuesday of... ...the second Tuesday of each election cycle.
  • to have an election a day after all of that.
  • So, the current law would place that election...
  • The current law would place that election the day after Memorial Day, but it didn't.
  • Everything's based on... ...so many days prior to the election.
Bills: HB258, HB308, HB258, HB308
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs Mar 19th, 2025

Homeland Security, Public Safety & Veterans' Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • They're elected. and we're there to support them.
  • Do you believe this would help election administrators as well? This is not an election bill.
  • It's helpful. but this isn't an election law or an election bill.
  • And the election worker have to take training before they do?
  • No election, this is not an election bill.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/28/2026 - House Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Federalism, Military Affairs & Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • The Committee on Federal and Military Affairs and Elections is called to order.
  • So this is the difference between talking to the recorder versus the election director, because the election
  • We have secure elections and have for decades. We have secure elections and have for decades.
  • There is some overlap with elections in military affairs.
  • Tellicent provides chips to the election world. Toast.
Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 2348, which would appropriate state general fund money in FY 2027 for Arizona Department of Emergency and Military Affairs projects including wireless networking at training centers, a reimbursement program for service members without government computers, lodging and kind for service members, and HVAC upgrades and maintenance. Two amendments were considered: the Marquez Amendment, which filled in dollar amounts for the appropriations, failed; and the Gillette Amendment, which restricted certain networking equipment for national security reasons, removed the reimbursement program, revised the lodging language, and tied some funding intentions to compliance, passed. After extensive testimony from the sponsor and several Army Reserve and National Guard witnesses about lack of Wi-Fi, inadequate lodging, safety concerns from long drives, and poor HVAC at joint facilities, the committee approved HB 2348 as amended on a 4-3 vote. The committee then considered HCR 2016, a ballot referral that would cap precinct size at 2,500 voters and eliminate county authority to use vote centers, emergency voting centers, and certain on-site early voting options. The sponsor said the measure was intended to restore precinct-based voting and let voters decide. County officials and election advocates opposed it, arguing that vote centers and early voting provide flexibility, are more cost-effective in many counties, and are necessary where geography, staffing, and facility availability make precinct voting difficult. After debate over local control, voter choice, and the practicality of precincting, the committee gave HCR 2016 a 4-3 do-pass recommendation. Finally, the committee heard House Bill 2165, which exempts veterans from Arizona State Parks admission fees, and adopted the Marquez Amendment to extend the exemption to active military members, National Guard members, and reserve-unit members, with alternative ID options. Arizona State Parks testified in neutral, saying it supports veterans but is concerned about revenue losses; it estimated that even a modest share of veteran visits could reduce revenue by about $1.8 million annually. The sponsor said the bill was prompted by constituent requests and was meant to help veterans enjoy outdoor recreation and therapeutic opportunities. The committee then approved HB 2165 as amended on a vote of 4-0, with some members absent or not voting.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House and Governmental Affairs Apr 29th, 2026

House and Governmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • is appropriate for their elected officials.
  • It provides that the election scheduled for April 17, 2027, shall be a statewide election.
  • election.
  • We want to have an election in the spring, so this would take care of their election, perhaps?
  • One says no appointed inspector general shall hold or be a candidate for elective office, including elective
Summary: The House and Governmental Affairs Committee heard Senate Bill 123 by Sen. Morris, a proposed constitutional amendment to create a legislative-address process for removing certain judges for cause, with the governor certifying removal after a legislative vote and Senate trial. The bill was presented as a way to address perceived gaps and ambiguity in the current Constitution between impeachment provisions and the Judiciary Commission’s authority over judicial discipline. The committee also adopted a technical amendment (Amendment Set 4708) that renumbered paragraphs for clarity. Sen. Morris and supporters argued the measure is needed because current mechanisms have not adequately held judges accountable in serious cases. They cited several criminal cases, especially involving juveniles and electronic monitoring failures, and said the bill would provide a last-resort remedy for gross misconduct, incompetence, or malfeasance. Multiple family members of murder victims testified in support, including Anna Carter, James Carter, and Tracy Carter, who described the death of Jacob Carter and said the case showed a failure of oversight and accountability. Reverend Rodney Wood also spoke in support, describing another case he believed reflected a grave injustice. Committee members raised concerns about separation of powers, due process, political misuse, and whether the bill would reach beyond judges to district attorneys. Some questioned the mechanics of the proposed process, the role of the governor, the Senate trial, and whether the Judiciary Commission and existing impeachment provisions should instead be strengthened or clarified. The ACLU testified in opposition, saying the bill had technical inconsistencies in its vote threshold language, could be addressed by testing existing impeachment authority first, and should not single out judicial discretion while excluding DA discretion. No final vote on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Ways & Means May 5th, 2025

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm a, uh, twenty-year, uh, retired Special Forces Army lawyer.
  • And the Special Forces Association.
  • It does so by empowering local taxing entities, counties, school districts, and special districts along
  • College in our Legislative District, just, uh, works to lower the threshold rate that triggers a voter election
  • ESDs are special purpose districts, that special purpose being public safety.
Bills: SB 4, SB 23, SJR 2
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Elections Finance and Government Operations Committee 3/18/26 - Afternoon Meeting

Elections Finance and Government Operations

Transcript Highlights:
  • 15 is providing clarification on filing of reports for special elections when the special election is
  • activity in in those special elections. activity in in those special elections.
  • elections as well as federal special elections, um, you know, they're special, right?
  • elections as well as federal special elections, um, you know, they're special, right?
  • elections as well as federal special elections, um, you know, they're special, right?
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House and Governmental Affairs May 6th, 2026

House and Governmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • You're looking at a bill that can remove any elected officials.
  • If there's the elective... okay, first of all, if a person...
  • And look, the governor is the only elected authority in this case.
  • Governor the only elected authority in what position?
  • for another election.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/23/2026 - Senate Finance

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • It allows an elected official to retire without terminating their elected official position, with a few
  • session or for not calling a special session.
  • Simply requiring the governor to say, 'I will call a special session' or 'I won't call a special session
  • in any bond issue authorized by an election.
  • , the governing board must call a special election to reauthorize the governing board to negotiate and
Summary: The Senate Finance Committee approved the minutes from March 16, 2026, then heard testimony on a series of bills, with the chair noting that testimony and votes would be handled in batches because members were coming and going. HB 2939 would raise the rural qualified facilities tax credit from $20,000 to $25,000 per job for certain projects with initial investment under $2 billion. Lucid Motors supported the change as a tool to attract manufacturing jobs to rural Arizona, while opponents questioned whether the higher credit would actually create new jobs and pointed to a fiscal note that could reach $48 million. The committee later passed the bill 5-2. HB 2950 would authorize municipalities and counties to form tourism improvement areas funded by lodging business assessments for marketing and tourism promotion. The Arizona Lodging and Tourism Association and Visit Phoenix supported the measure, describing TIAs as voluntary, locally controlled tools already used in other states and useful for rural destinations; senators pressed on whether the assessments were truly voluntary and how the districts would be formed and administered. The bill passed 5-2. HB 2780, a technical cleanup bill related to property tax lien foreclosure and excess proceeds sales, was described as conforming changes to a prior law creating a mechanism for delinquent taxpayers to recover equity; it passed 6-1. HB 2502 would allow certain ASRS members who are elected officials to retire at normal retirement age without resigning their elected office, with the employer paying the alternate contribution rate. ASRS said it was neutral, and the sponsor and a lobbyist argued the bill would create parity with non-elected members who can retire and return to work; the committee passed it 5-2. HB 2140, as amended by a striker, would let the state treasurer invest up to 10% of trust and treasury monies in physical gold or silver bullion held in secure U.S. depositories. The sponsor and Sound Money Defense League supported it as a diversification and inflation hedge, while opponents argued gold is volatile, costly to store, and not a better use of taxpayer funds; the committee adopted the striker and passed the bill 4-2. HB 2398 would require commercial liability insurance for watercraft rented or hired in Arizona, including peer-to-peer boat-sharing programs, while not affecting ordinary personal boat ownership. The sponsor, insurers, and rental operators said the bill responds to uninsured boats being rented through apps and to safety and liability problems; some members said training should also be addressed. The committee adopted an amendment and passed the bill 6-1. Finally, HB 2999 would create state affordable infrastructure districts to finance public infrastructure for housing through bonds, taxes, and assessments, with unanimous landowner consent and disclosure requirements. Home builders and contractors said the districts could lower upfront housing costs and improve financing, but contractors sought stronger payment protections and some senators worried the bill could add red tape and costs without guaranteeing savings to homebuyers. After adopting a large amendment, the committee passed HB 2999, though at least one member voted no and another passed on the vote.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education Apr 3rd, 2025

S/C on Academic & Career-Oriented Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • that addressing the nursing workforce shortage has been an ongoing issue since even before I was elected
  • What's the difference between bilingual education and special language programs?
  • Yeah, I just noticed that special language programs... okay, great. Another term.
  • The actions occurred, and the aspect that you're adding on to it with a special class.
  • Only 24 percent of Texans age 18 to 24 voted in the 2016 election.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Elections and Ethics Feb 9th, 2026 at 03:00 pm

Elections and Ethics

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then why would you put in a split between federal elections and state and local elections.
  • Chairman, general election, you've got some people that are not qualified to vote in state elections
  • but are qualified to vote in federal elections.
  • the county or state elections.
  • eligible to vote in federal elections.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

JDC Public Hearing 02-06-2026

Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • gives control to the chief elections gives control to the chief elections officer<00:14:19.440><
  • first up on 2461 is uh chief election first up on 2461 is uh chief election officer<00:22:44.960
  • election and not enough for the general. election and not enough for the general.
  • <01:07:16.960> to requires the office of elections to requires the office of elections to
  • <01:07:33.680> Um until well elections after that. Um until well elections after that.
Summary: The Judiciary Committee heard testimony on several bills. SB 2444 would raise the real property exemption amount for attachment or execution, which the Attorney General said could create vague retroactivity language and litigation risk; the committee noted the exemption had last been adjusted around 1978. SB 2446 would add a seventh associate judge to the Intermediate Court of Appeals. Judiciary staff testified in opposition, saying recent internal restructuring and a pending vacancy had improved output and that it would be prudent to wait and see the effect before adding another judge. The Public Defender supported the goal of faster appellate resolution but said it would defer to the court’s assessment and had no objection to revisiting the issue later. The committee also discussed current appellate timelines, with staff saying at least 225 days is built into the process before a case reaches a merit panel, and that a two-year delay from panel assignment was realistic under the current structure. The committee then heard SB 2450, which would establish a presidential preference primary for the 2028 cycle. The Chief Election Officer said the election would cost about $4 million, less if combined with the regular primary. Several opponents argued the bill would add bureaucracy, duplicate or undermine party-run processes, and waste taxpayer money; one speaker estimated the total cost could be closer to $6 million when county costs are included. Supporters and committee members discussed that the measure would not require parties to use the results and that Hawaii remains one of the few states still using caucuses. The committee also asked whether counties could staff the election and whether the results would be useful given Hawaii’s current primary timing. SB 2453 would require the Office of Elections to include a notice with each ballot that a digital and printed voter information guide is available, with the notice in 32-point font as a separate insert. The Chief Election Officer said the insert would cost about $90,000 and asked for an effective date of January 1, 2027 because mailing preparations for the primary would already be underway. The Disability and Communications Access Board, League of Women Voters, National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, and others supported the bill. The committee also began hearing SB 2461, which would have the Office of Elections prepare a questionnaire for candidates and publish responses online and in the voter guide; the Chief Election Officer said the office did not think it should be the agency to shape campaign questions, though he said it could work if the questions were specified in statute. Finally, the committee heard SB 2457, which would require a criminal conviction before seized property could be forfeited. The Attorney General and Honolulu Police Department opposed the bill, arguing it would prolong cases, increase storage costs, and make forfeiture less effective against crime, especially where owners flee, die, or hide assets through shell companies. The Public Defender strongly supported the measure, saying forfeiture should be tied to convictions and that people challenging forfeiture often lack counsel. The Honolulu Prosecutor also opposed the bill, but said it supported transparency, due process, and even a right to counsel; it argued conviction-only forfeiture would fail in cases involving fugitives, deceased suspects, or hidden ownership structures. The committee questioned what would happen to property if an owner could not be found, and the prosecutor said the outcome would depend on the type of property and could involve abandonment or interpleader proceedings.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Elections Apr 30th, 2025

Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • after federal Election Day to be received up to five business days after election day.
  • I think you have the conclusion of the election on Election Day.
  • day after Election Day.
  • midnight on election night.
  • election, this...
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Elections Apr 30th, 2025

Elections

Transcript Highlights:
  • He was re-elected in November without an opposing candidate.
  • These are not elections.
  • step towards free and fair elections.
  • Texas Election Code, Chapter 181.061, Parts C and D.
  • They elect at a county convention and then a state convention.