Secretary of State talks to townships

Disability equipment, scanners to be used in elections

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

SLEEPY EYE -- Secretary of State Mary Kiffmeyer talked to the Brown County Township Association about the Help America Vote Act Thursday at the Orchid Inn.

The Help America Vote Act of 2002 established a program to provide funds to States to replace punch card or lever voting systems and establish the Election Assistance Commission to assist in the administration of federal elections.

Kiffmeyer explained that there will be no required equipment changes for the 2004 elections according to the act. Disability equipment and an optical scanner will be required in voting precincts for 2006. Each is expected to cost about $4,000 and will be paid for with federal government grants, according to Kiffmeyer.

Brown County Treasurer Marlin Helget weighed in on the subject.

"I'm an old, conservative German," Helget said. "I haven't seen the money yet. I'll believe it when I see it."

The new equipment will enable voting ballot errors to be found and corrected while the voter is standing next to the election judge. The new technology should help eliminate some voting problems.

"I've got plenty of stories I could tell you," Kiffmeyer added. "One election judge burned 12 ballots."

The State of Minnesota will feature a central registration system this year.

The average election judge in Minnesota is 70 years old. Kiffmeyer called being an election judge trainee one of the most rewarding, valuable, interesting and meaningful activities a Minnesotan 16-17 years old can do.

Qualifications of election judge trainees are that they must be age 16-17, enrolled in a Minnesota high school, be enrolled in or have completed a course in government, be a U.S. citizen and be able to read, write, and speak English.

Benefits are that judge trainees will be paid at least 2/3 of the minimum wage, can earn extra credit for government courses, gain practical experience for their resume and can enjoy the satisfaction of serving their community.

Helget said his office will be contacting area high schools to ask permission to pass election judge trainee information on to high school students.

That news pleased Kiffmeyer.

Election judge responsibilities include:

* opening and closing the polls, usually 6 a.m. to 10 p.m.

* being responsible for all election materials

* ensuring only qualified voters vote only once

* distributing ballots

* ensuring all votes are cast in secret

* helping voters that need assistance

* maintaining order in the voting place

* obtaining results after the polls close

* certifying precinct election results

Election judges must complete a two-hour training course conducted by their county auditor or city clerk. They can apply by calling their county auditor or city clerk or the Secretary of State Office at 1-877-600-VOTE.

Election judge trainees do not have to declare political party affiliation. If selected they may serve on primary day, Sept. 14, 2004, and election day, Nov. 2, 2004. They may also serve at special elections.

Upon turning 18, they may serve as a regular adult election judge. To learn more about becoming an election judge, visit http://www.sos.state.mn.us/pubs.html to download the brochure.