Online voter registration proposed

Nebraskans could register to vote online under a bill heard by the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee during a hearing Jan. 23.

Under LB661, introduced by Omaha Sen. Bob Krist, individuals with a valid driver’s license or state identification card could complete voter registration through a secure secretary of state website. The state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) would provide the applicant’s signature from their records to complete the online voter registration.

Krist said the new process would provide more convenience to voters.

“The technical side of this has finally caught up to the forward thinking,” he said. “This will do nothing but increase the number of people who want to participate in the democratic process.”

LB661 also would require the development of a paperless registration system, which would allow the DMV to electronically transmit completed registrations to the proper county election officials. Further, the bill would authorize the DMV to provide applicants’ social security numbers to the secretary of state for voter registration purposes.

Jack Gould, issues chairman for Common Cause Nebraska, testified in support of the bill. He said the technology is finally in line with the desire for online voter registration.

“Online registration will not only improve access, but also efficiency and accountability,” Gould said. “This is the hour to get this done.”

Sarpy County Election Commissioner Wayne Bena also supported the bill, saying it would make the registration process more cost-efficient.

“I’m supportive of ideas that will streamline the process and give access to the voters of Nebraska,” he said.

The committee also heard testimony on LB663, introduced by Krist, which would expand the number of counties that may request mail-in elections.

Currently, counties with a population of less than 10,000 may apply to have certain precincts eliminate polling sites and conduct elections by mail. The bill would allow any county to apply for mail-in elections for certain precincts.

The bill also would allow all special elections, including recall elections and elections to fill vacancies, to be conducted by mail.

Adam Morfeld, executive director of Nebraskans for Civic Reform, supported the bill, saying it would “increase turnout, accessibility and awareness of certain election issues and candidates.”

No one testified in opposition to the bills and the committee took no immediate action on them.