3EC6CB086FB57649872583630075856E Hearing Summary

The committee came back to order. Secretary of State Wayne Williams, Department of State (DOS), presented to the committee. Copies of the DOS - Annual Performance Report for FY 2017-18, the DOS Strategic Plan for FY 2018-19, and the 2019 Departmental Regulatory Agenda were distributed to the committee [Attachments E to G].  Secretary Williams presented information from a handout that was provided to the committee [Attachment H]. He reviewed information regarding voter registration data and discussed inactive voters. He discussed the Eliza Pickrell Routt Award, which is given to high schools that have 85 percent of eligible seniors registered to vote.

Secretary Williams reviewed information regarding the business entities licensed through the DOS. He provided information about charities and notaries public registered with the DOS. Secretary Williams discussed information related to the Elections Division, including unaffiliated voter participation in the primary elections, online voter registration, and voter registration through the Division of Motor Vehicles.

Secretary Williams highlighted the signature verification process for candidate petitions. He discussed the risk-limiting audit process. He reviewed information regarding the national media coverage of the security of Colorado's elections. Secretary Williams discussed voting for military and overseas voters.

Secretary Williams answered questions regarding voter turnout and unaffiliated voters.

Secretary Williams discussed the Business and Licensing Division. He highlighted the My Biz Colorado portal for small business owners. He discussed information about Go Code Colorado and training for notaries public. He answered questions about the funding of elections through business fees and referred to the National Federation of Independent Business v. Williams lawsuit.

Secretary Williams presented on the Information Technology Division. He reviewed information regarding IT security, including the relationship DOS has with the Department of Homeland Security to address cybersecurity. He discussed La Plata County losing internet connectivity on Election Day.

Secretary Williams reviewed information regarding the department's regulatory agenda. He discussed the enforcement of campaign finance disclosure and referenced the Holland v. Williams lawsuit. He discussed the 55 percent threshold to amend the Colorado Constitution and Amendment W, concerning the election ballot format for judicial retention elections, which failed due to the threshold requirement. Secretary Williams discussed the conflicts between the Colorado Constitution and statute concerning petition signature deadlines. He encouraged the legislature to review the recall election laws. He discussed the department's budget request and highlighted the request for funding for the presidential primary.

Secretary Williams answered questions regarding voter service and polling centers.  He discussed the challenges related to finding election judges. The committee thanked Secretary Williams for his service to the state. No witnesses provided public testimony.