A hearing on a bill that would have repealed a controversial election-related measure approved by the state legislature last year has been delayed. Last year’s bill included several changes to election law, including who can turn in early ballots and how many signatures candidates in some parties need to collect to get on the ballot. Its passage prompted opponents to collect enough signatures to refer it to November’s ballot, which also put the law on hold, pending this fall’s vote.
But this year’s measure would repeal last year’s one. Its sponsor, Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, said it is needed to spare the cost of an election, but supporters of the referendum said the repeal is an effort to allow lawmakers to enact provisions of last year’s bill individually.
The head of the groups formed last year to defeat the referendum said she supports the repeal but does not support lawmakers’ efforts to approve any elements of the bill this year.
