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Sen. William Parkinson says his bill is necessary to secure a plebiscite after court rulings
Summary
Sen. William Parkinson defended Bill 242-38 at a recessed committee hearing, arguing the current ancestry‑based voter rules cannot survive constitutional challenge and that his bill, which would allow registered voters (30‑day residency) to take part, is the only pragmatic path to hold a plebiscite. He acknowledged community concern but said alternatives had not produced compromise.
Sen. William Parkinson, sponsor of Bill 242-38, told the General Government Operations and Appropriations committee that he introduced the measure reluctantly but out of a belief that it is the only feasible route to a political-status plebiscite after federal court decisions.
Parkinson said he tried to find compromises — including different cutoff dates and residency thresholds — but that those alternatives failed to obtain community consensus. “Keeping that…
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