A bill that would set up a system for online voter registration in Iowa unanimously passed in the Senate on Monday without debate and moved to the House for further work on verification of electronic signatures. Under the bill, which passed 48-0, voters must provide the same information required on other voter registration forms. They would use the secretary of state’s website to electronically register. Those registering must have an Iowa driver’s license, a Social Security number or other identifying number, and they must attest that all information is correct. The measure makes fraudulent electronic registration a class D felony.
“We think that Iowa can be a leader in turnout in elections,” said Sen. Jeff Danielson, a Democrat from Cedar Falls. “We should be top of the nation and this will help in a small way, on the front end, provide a better customer service for those Iowans who want to choose it.”
The bill would take effect Jan. 1.
Equipment upgrades, training and education are expected to cost an additional $250,000 next year, according to an estimate by the nonpartisan Legislative Services Agency, which provides cost estimates for lawmakers. The bill provides no additional funding.
Full Article: Iowa Senate passes online voter registration bill – SFGate.