Committee backs bill giving party-recommended election judges priority, adds clerk authority to remove disruptive judges

House Bill 321, Election Judge Selection, was advanced by the Minerals, Business & Economic Development Committee after testimony from the bill sponsor, county clerks and local party members and a conceptual amendment that clarifies county clerks’ authority to remove election judges for violations or disruptive conduct.

The bill would amend state statute to require county clerks to give priority to election judges and alternates recommended by the county chairmen of major and minor political parties when filling precinct judge positions; clerks may still appoint others if party lists are insufficient. Sponsor Representative Anne Lucas, who represents House District 43, described the bill as “pretty simple” and said it was intended to ensure party-submitted lists receive priority when clerks select judges.

Supporters said the change responds to inconsistent county practices. Karen Drost of Weston County…