Local lawmakers say they would support efforts to allow voters to physically cast their ballot more than a week ahead of Election Day. State law allows counties to give voters the option of casting an absentee ballot in person within seven days of the election. Legislators said the process was popular in the 2016 election in Washington County and the county saved taxpayer money by not having to process as many absentee ballots the traditional way. They agreed it should be expanded, suggesting a 14-day window. It’s another way to get more people voting, said Sen. Dan Schoen, DFL-St. Paul Park. “Whatever we can do (to increase participation), I’m for,” Schoen said.
Some want an even wider window. “Fourteen days is not enough as well,” said Rep. Kelly Fenton, R-Woodbury, who worked on the in-person absentee voting legislation. She said there is more integrity when the voter is the last to touch the ballot.
Sen. Susan Kent and Rep. JoAnn Ward, both Woodbury DFLers, also indicated support for expanded in-person absentee voting. Ward also said the state needs to consider investing in new voting machines as most around the state are nearing the end of their functional life. Voting technology, such as that used by people with visual impairment or other disabilities, also needs to be reviewed, Fenton added.
Schoen said the state should look at ways to deploy teams of election workers with a vote-counting machine to locations such as senior living complexes where residents may have difficulty getting to polling places.
Full Article: Lawmakers agree on voting change, differ elsewhere | Woodbury Bulletin.