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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Cheers and Concerns for Minnesota Online Voter Registration

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Monday, October 14, 2013   

ST. PAUL, Minn. - With the fall elections approaching, a new tool is allowing Minnesotans, for the first time, to register online to vote.

According to Stearns County Auditor Randy Schreifels says the system at MnVotes.org requires the same information - name, address, birthdate and either a Social Security or a drivers' license number - and the online process can be used in place of registering by turning in handwritten cards.

"And get that to the county auditor and then, we would enter that information and now, you can fill out that form online and they go through the same checks, and you get registered that way," Schreifels said.

Online registrations will be accepted through October 15, tomorrow. MnVotes.org also allows voters who are already registered to check that all of their information is correct and make changes if needed.

As with almost any change that's election-related, there is opposition. Some Minnesota Republicans are calling for a review, questioning whether Secretary of State Mark Ritchie had the authority to implement the system. Others have raised concerns about the potential for abuse and errors, but Schriefels said he thinks the new system will increase accuracy compared to the old registration cards.

"We get hundreds and thousands of these cards to enter in, and they can be difficult to read, and we have to follow up with voters or try to figure out some of the information, because it's not legible all the time," he pointed out. "So, this will certainly be a faster way, and more accurate that it has been in the past."

Schreifels added that a process that's more accurate and efficient should also lead to savings at a time when budgets continue to shrink.

"We are expecting some savings on this," he said. "You know, elections keep getting more complex and always adding more duties and more requirements on us, so it's nice to see one that's actually going to save us some time."

Minnesota is the 15th state in the U.S. to offer online registration.

Voter registration online is at bit.ly/16FT4g8.




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