Texas House Bill Seeks Relief from HAVA for Local Elections

[Wilms]

Voting shouldn't ‘cost a fortune'

The Navasota Examiner & Grimes County Review -Texas

Wednesday, April 26, 2006

Local cities and school districts may see relief from having to purchase new, expensive electronic voting equipment to conduct their elections.

Last week, State Rep. Lois Kolkhorst filed House Bill 62 in an effort to remove mandates on local communities. Kolkhorst said she filed H.B. 62 at the request of several local government officials. If passed, the legislation clarifies that local elections are not subjected to the Federal Help America Vote Act (HAVA) unless a federal election appears on the ballot.

“Local people who hold a local election should not be hindered by Federal mandates,” Kolkhorst said. “It's letting a small government entity opt out of the federal guidelines if they choose to do so. We all understand the need for open and accessible elections, but a local school board or city council race shouldn't cost a fortune.”

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http://www.navasotaexaminer.com/articles/2006/04/25/news/news05.txt