State, Federal Paper Trails Diverge
UPDATE–The markup of HR 811 described below did not occur. Officially it was because of the committee chair’s illness. Some opponents of the bill claim it is because they stirred up so much last minute opposition that they threw the committee off its plans. Markup is now expected in mid-April.
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One paper trail bill passed the Iowa Senate yesterday, while another paper trail bill gets committee action in Washington tomorrow(see below). There is some risk to Iowa in this timetable, as the federal bill appears to ban what Iowa may decide to do.
Congressman Holt’s HR 811 appears to ban the reel to reel paper trail printers that use thermal printing. These are called “toilet paper” printers by critics because of the reel and the low quality product. If Iowa requires printers to be installed by next year, we will likely have to buy the toilet paper version. Then we will have to replace them with newer, better printers to meet federal law should HR 811 pass with this required improvement.
The safe way down this trail is to switch now to voter-marked paper ballots with ballot marking machines for handicapped voters. Then we’ll be ready for the federal bill with no additional disruptions or new equipment needed.
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The House Administration (full committee) is planning to markup Rep. Holt’s Voter Confidence and Increased Accessibility Act of 2007 (HR. 811) on Thursday, March 29th at 10am. Any letters in support of or opposition to this bill should be addressed to House Administration and faxed to them today or tomorrow so they can be inserted in the Record. The fax numbers for the committee are listed below. The letters can be the same letters you have been sending to your Congressional delegation, simply readdressed to Chairwoman Millender-McDonald and Ranking Member Ehlers.
Members of the Committee on House Administration
Democrats – Fax Number 202-225-7664
Republicans – Fax Number – 202-225-9957