Online voter registration proposal heard by committee

The secretary of state would be required to create an online voter registration process under a bill heard by the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee Jan. 21.

Under LB168, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Bill Avery, those with state motor vehicle operator’s licenses or state identification cards could register to vote or update their registration on the secretary of state’s website. Applicants registering in the state for the first time who have not previously voted within the state would have to provide photo identification and a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement or other identifying document when they make their first trip to the polls.

Avery said nine states, including Kansas, already provide for online voter registration, which he said would make it easier for people to register and provide cost savings by eliminating the need for data entry.

“It is not inappropriate in a democracy to make it easier for people in that democracy to participate in it,” Avery said.

Laura Schneider, president of the League of Women Voters in Nebraska, spoke in support of LB168. She said technology already is used to increase civic interaction with government, citing the live streaming of legislative floor coverage and hearings as examples.

“It seems odd that a government that advanced in its efforts to be more accessible, transparent and citizen friendly still does not have an electronic voter registration system in place,” Schneider said.

Adam Morfeld, representing Nebraskans for Civic Reform, also spoke in support of the bill, saying it would reduce administrative costs while maintaining the integrity of the voter registration system. He said online voter registration in Arizona has a cost of 3 cents per registration, as opposed to 83 cents using the standard method.

Neal Erickson, deputy secretary of state for elections, testified in opposition to LB168. He said it would cost $80,000 to $100,000 to set up the right system to collect and format photo identification and signatures, which would be used to validate registrations.

Erickson also questioned whether those who forge voter registrations online could be prosecuted, as they would not have signed an oath saying their registration information was correct.

State Department of Motor Vehicles director Beverly Neth testified in opposition to the bill, citing concerns regarding the use of DMV data. She said the bill would allow the secretary of state to use the department’s data for any purpose, not just voter registration.

The committee took no immediate action on the bill.