Omnibus elections bill would allow for electronic voter signatures

When you go vote at your polling place on Election Day, you check in and verify your name and address — in some places this happens on a laptop or tablet — and then sign the oath, swearing you’re who you say you are.

However, people who check in on an electronic poll book still have to physically sign a printed piece of paper. That’s because Minnesota law currently outlaws electronic signatures on voting rosters.

But a section of the omnibus elections bill would change that.

A provision, derived from HF2050, sponsored by Rep. Nolan West (R-Blaine), would help streamline the process by allowing voters to sign the roster electronically, eliminating the need to print out a label or piece of paper for a voter to sign.

This would also help elections officials. Cindy Geis, who represents the Minnesota Association of County Officers, called this “necessary for counties.” It would allow officials to access voting records much faster when checking for voter fraud, she said.

Allowing electronic voter signatures is just one of the more than 20 provisions outlined in the omnibus elections bill. The House Government Operations and Elections Policy Committee approved HF3221, sponsored by Rep. Tim O'Driscoll (R-Sartell), on Thursday and sent it to the House Floor.

Its companion, SF3021, sponsored by Mary Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake), is awaiting action by the Senate State Government Finance and Policy and Elections Committee.

What else is in the bill?

Most of the provisions outlined in the omnibus bill address technical changes to elections administration sought by the secretary of state’s office.

It also includes two other bills:

• HF1569, as amended, sponsored by Rep. Roz Peterson (R-Lakeville), which would expand the types of electronic voting systems allowed; and
• HF3108, sponsored by Rep. Duane Quam (R-Byron), which would require primary and special elections to be held on Tuesdays for legislative races.