Online petition signature collection proposed

Sponsors of initiative, referenda and recall petitions in Nebraska would have the option of gathering signatures online under a bill heard March 2 by the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.

LB566, introduced by Columbus Sen. Paul Schumacher, would establish a process for petition sponsors to collect signatures online through a secure website administered by the secretary of state’s office.

Under the bill, an eligible petition signer could access the site and submit his or her name, address, county of residence, political party affiliation, date of birth and a unique identifier that could be verified against other state qualified data associated with the potential signer.

Schumacher said an example of a unique identifier would be a pin number used to file Nebraska income tax. Only after a potential signer’s identity is verified, he said, would the individual be able to examine a petition and decide whether to sign by electronic signature.

The bill also would require a signer to be mailed a post card confirming his or her signature and would provide criminal penalties for fraud.

Schumacher said an online signature option would facilitate greater participation in the petition process and would allow local groups to launch petition drives without requiring funds from outside interests.

“This bill provides mechanisms for using modern-age technology to facilitate our petition process,” he said.

Kent Bernbeck of Elkhorn testified in support of the bill, saying it would make the petition process more deliberative and reduce the influence of money. Potential signers could take time to evaluate the merits of a petition without pressure from circulators, he said, and grassroots groups could afford to launch petition drives.

“Finally, there is a bill in front of us that actually goes a long way toward trying to address both those issues,” he said.

Neal Erickson, deputy secretary of state for elections, testified against the bill, citing concerns over the cost of developing and maintaining a system for the petition website. The bill’s fiscal note estimates a $358,500 cost to develop the system and approximately $36,000 per year to maintain it.

“The major reason for our opposition at this point is the cost aspect of it,” Erickson said.

Jason Kvols of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation also testified in opposition. An online petition process would result in underrepresentation of rural and elderly voters who lack computer access and skills, he said.

The committee took no immediate action on the bill.