Assistive voting devices could print paper ballots

Voters using a touchscreen at their polling place could have their votes printed on a paper ballot.

Just how similar ballots printed from an assistive-voting device should be to ordinary paper ballots was a matter of discussion Friday by the House Government Operations and Elections Policy Committee.

HF1569, sponsored by Rep. Roz Peterson (R-Lakeville), would allow manufacturers of machines that print marked ballots from touchscreens to seek certification in Minnesota.

Some assistive voting devices produce paper ballots that are smaller than regular ballots, meaning they might stand out from other ballots during a recount or public canvass of votes. To ensure voter anonymity, Peterson said she included a provision, at the request of the Office of the Secretary of State’s Disability Advisory Committee, to address recounts in precincts where multiple styles of voting systems are in use. If one ballot format is used by only 10 or fewer voters, the recount would be conducted by election judges from outside that precinct.

The idea was held over for possible inclusion in an omnibus bill. The companion, SF1141, sponsored by Sen. Carla Nelson (R-Rochester), awaits action by the Senate State Government Finance and Policy and Elections Committee.

In a letter supporting HF1569, Secretary of State Steve Simon wrote, “This legislation would not require any jurisdiction to purchase this equipment, but would allow additional vendors to seek state certification of their equipment – giving counties, cities, and towns more options when they consider replacing their assistive voting technology.”