Posted on 10/28/2003 10:51:25 AM PST by Republican Wildcat
FRANKFORT A politician from Kentucky's most populous county and a northern Kentucky newcomer will square off at next week's polls, hoping to win the secretary of state's seat.
Trey Grayson of Kenton County is the Republican candidate; Russ Maple of Louisville is the Democratic candidate.
Each have campaigned on election reform issues and e-commerce changes in the secretary's office the state's chief of election officer and chairman of the elections board who maintains business and incorporation records.
"One of the big issues, in the elections area, is trying to address fraud," said Grayson, an attorney and business consultant making his first run for public office.
All the players need to sit down and make sure Kentucky's heading in the right direction, he said, referring to this year's legal debates over dealing with the replacement of a running mate and public campaign finance.
"On the finance side, I'd like to see reports occur more often, and by computer," Grayson said, adding that would boost people's trusts in some high-spending races.
One reality the next secretary of state will face is the Help America to Vote Act, especially machines for disabled voters, he said.
"We have to really work with the counties to get that implemented as best as we can," he said.
One of the key issues is getting it fully-funded, because with budget issues Kentucky faces it could be burdensome not only on the state but also local governments, Grayson said.
"One of the things I want to do is work with our congressional delegation to make sure they understand the import of this to Kentucky."
Grayson's also pushing continued improvements in commerce technology, like asking for more tweaks to laws that would allow all businesses to file paperwork, such as articles of incorporation, electronically.
It would be a time saver and even a cost saver for everybody, and especially to small business, he said.
"Right now, you mail it in and someone copies and scans it ... They're efficient at it, but it's obviously more efficient if it's already uploaded as a pdf immediately, they know it's filed and it's online."
That makes the office more accessible, too. But Grayson doesn't think the office will ever get away from allowing businesses to file the old fashioned way.
Grayson also has pushed more civics instruction in schools. Although the office doesn't make such policies, it could help coordinate efforts of those already doing such work, he said.
For example, maybe resurrecting a Bob Babbage-era foundation for those groups that agree with the idea could lead the office into a community to distribute polling place locations as part of a voter turnout drive, he added.
Maple, a former Jefferson County commissioner and school board member, is an insurance executive who has placed emphasis on the Help America to Vote Act.
"I think that will be the biggest challenge for the next secretary of state," he said.
In July, Kentucky received $44 million to address reform in federal elections, but a lot of that will spill over into local elections, Maple explained.
One part, for example, could be used to update machines in six counties still using older ones, he said.
"Another is that visually-impaired people now take someone in with them and hope they vote the way they want their ballot cast," he said. "Over a few years, every precinct could have an audio headset where the visually-impaired go in and vote in confidence and in privacy."
Correcting ballots within the voting booth and provisional voting are two other issues that can be addressed through the act, he added.
Maple's second campaign priority is e-commerce, such as the ability to put electronic signatures on legal documents.
The challenge here is to make sure documents submitted to state electronically will be secure, which can be done by bringing the legal community together with law school professors and "we all get at the same table to figure out how to do this," he said.
The changes will make it easier to do business in Kentucky which companies nationwide pay attention to and are attracted by, Maple said.
The candidate also has ideas about enhancing voter participation across the state.
Among 18- to 24-year olds, only about 5 percent registered actually vote, so allowing 16- and 17- year olds to be poll workers could spread the word about the importance of voting, Maple said.
About 15 states implemented such a program, he said, adding it would require legislation, which he said he would push.
"I think this would be a good way to engage young people in the voting process, other than a junior class pep talk," he said. "It would also serve a need every county clerk faces. They are always short of poll workers.
"It's something I want to pursue, and I haven't had one negative comment about it."
Is this not one of the most assinine things you have ever heard? Law school professors to discuss how to make online filing secure? You contract with a software company specializing in encryption...lawyers have nothing to do with this. What a joke. Can you imagine this person being secretary of state? He's not only corrupt, but clueless as well.
By the way let everyone know that Chandler if elected plans on appointing Jack Moreland head of education in Kentucky .. he's superintendent of Covington Independent Schools.. ranking 176th out of 176 districts.
s/on Hey!...as long as their self-esteem is maintained, everything is fine. s/off :\
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