Secretary of State Steve Simon is praising a new law that will help replace Minnesota’s aging election equipment, calling it a “critical and necessary investment” to ensure voting equipment works properly and consistently in precincts all around the state. Replacing aging equipment has been a major priority of Secretary Simon’s since taking office and was signed into law May 30. The bill creates a $7 million grant fund to replace Minnesota’s aging election equipment by 2018. It provides up to a 50 percent match between the state and counties for mandatory equipment and up to a 75 percent match for electronic poll books.
The bill was authored by Rep. Tim O’Driscoll (R-Sartell) and Sen. Kiffmeyer (R-Big Lake) and included in the State Government Finance Bill.
… It is expected to cost counties and municipalities $28 million to replace all aging equipment and is largely a problem faced by counties in Greater Minnesota. Secretary Simon’s push to replace Minnesota’s aging election equipment has been endorsed by newspapers throughout the state.
Full Article: Secretary’s push to replace Minnesota’s aging election equipment signed into law | Community | southernminn.com.