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Rep. Mercer urges public tallies for veto-override polls in HB 539
Summary
Representative Bill Mercer introduced HB 539 to require the secretary of state to post a running tally during the 30-day poll used for veto-override attempts, arguing it would help supporters know who has voted and who still needs contact.
Representative Bill Mercer opened HB 539, saying he has experienced multiple vetoes in his terms and that the current 30-day legislative poll process leaves sponsors unable to track returns. "It would be, I think, in the name of transparency, a much better practice to have the secretary of state post a regular tally as those votes are coming in," Mercer said, arguing a running tally would help sponsors target outreach and better understand where they stand.
Senator Dunwell asked whether the bill should also identify legislators who have not yet returned their polls. Mercer responded that he favored a public running tally of votes but did not want to produce a ‘‘tattletale’’ list naming nonrespondents, noting concerns about privacy and the possibility of reverse-engineering individual votes.
Representative Marshall expressed support, calling HB 539 "a good transparency bill" that would modestly shift power toward the legislative branch in the specific circumstance of veto-override polls. The committee recorded no proponents or opponents on the hearing record, and the chair closed the hearing on HB 539.
