A controversial proposal to use provisional ballots to stanch voter fraud is winding its way through the state Senate. The bill would introduce — for the first time in state history — provisional ballots to Minnesota elections. Provisional votes would be cast, then set aside until a challenged voter’s eligibility is reviewed by election authorities and either affirmed or denied. Officials would have seven days to make that decision. The provision was initially introduced as part of a stand-alone bill, Senate File 1225, authored by Sen. Mary Kiffmeyer, R-Big Lake. It has since been rolled into Kiffmeyer’s much larger election omnibus bill, Senate File 514. Yet it consistently takes center stage in committee deliberations.
“Voters who have a status challenge on Election Day cannot cast regular ballot but are allowed to cast a provisional ballot,” Kiffmeyer, who was secretary of state from 1999 to 2007, said in explaining the bill to senators last month.
The omnibus bill containing the concept passed the Senate’s State Government Finance and Policy and Elections Committee on Feb. 27, and the Senate Judiciary and Public Safety Finance Committee on March 1 — both by straight party-line votes. It is now on its way to Local Government.
Supporters like Andy Cilek, executive director of the Minnesota Voters Alliance, say provisional ballots are needed to ensure Minnesota elections’ integrity.
Full Article: Senators debate provisional ballots – Minnesota Lawyer.