Chairman Ball and Members of the County Council:

The League of Women Voters of Howard County on first reading County Council Bill 77 immediately said this Bill should be defeated. The provision to prohibit payment to those who are collecting signatures on a petition for referendum by the voters is a good one. Our position is one of fair election campaigning and we could see the potential for abuse and possible fraud. However, the United States District Court for District of Maryland has specifically ruled the language proposed for deletion as impacting on the constitutional right of free speech.

The League therefore suggests an amendment to Council Bill 77. Add to Section10.407 a new (8) to require the petition to contain a line asserting that a person who circulated the petition was reimbursed for the service. This will provide information to the Board of Elections and citizens.

Thank you for your consideration of our testimony.

Grace Kubofcik
Co-president