On May 19, Secretary of State John Merrill launched a Vote for Alabama app, available to all iPhones and Androids.

The app enables all Alabamians to register to vote and locate relevant election information. Voters now have the ability to register to vote on the Secretary of State’s website and via the new app, along with traditional registration methods.

The Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission has provided notice of a public hearing to amend Title 4, Chapter 6, Rules and Regulations for Lobbying. The proposed amendments will bring the rules and regulations in line with the provisions of Laws 2012, LB 782 providing for electronic registration and reporting by lobbyists.

The public hearing will be held by the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission on October 16, 2015.

The secretary of the commonwealth’s office launched a new online lobbyist disclosure system Monday, June 11, 2012. The new system, available here, replaces the previous online filing system.

Lobbyists will use the account they created for the new registration system last month to access the online disclosure system. The new system allows lobbyists to sign their disclosure form electronically, and does not require a hard-copy signature follow-up.

The secretary of the commonwealth’s office strongly encourages lobbyists to file their disclosure statements electronically rather than mailing a hard copy.

The new lobbyist registration ordinance in Palm Beach County took effect April 2, 2012. The expenditure report due date is now November 1 of each year, and continues to cover the period from October 1 – September 30.

Electronic registration is now available in addition to paper registration. Registrations now must also include the phone number of the lobbyist and principal, their signatures where both may be made electronically, and the county or municipalities to be lobbied.

The ordinance specifically excludes from expenditure reporting the salaries of the lobbyist and principal, office overhead expenses, and personal expenses for lodging, meals, and travel.

All registrations on file and in effect with the county prior to the ordinance’s effective date remain in full force and effect.

The Chicago Board of Ethics rolled out a new electronic lobbyist registration system on May 1, 2012. Lobbyists can now register online on the Electronic Lobbyist Filing System page.

Electronic registration is voluntary, so lobbyists may still file paper registrations if they choose to do so. For lobbyists who are already registered, they can use the online system to add clients to their registration forms. Registered lobbyists should contact the board of ethics if they need their login information.

A new electronic lobbyist registration is now available for the Commonwealth of Virginia. All lobbyists, including those already registered for 2012-2013, will need to create a new account on the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s Lobbyist Registration Portal and complete a new lobbyist registration.

New accounts must be activated through the confirmation e-mail sent from the state.

Lobbyists will also receive a confirmation e-mail when their electronic registration has been approved by the state.