MO HB1739

Election authorities are authorized to accept voter registration applications with electronic signatures submitted under Missouri's Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (sections 432.200 to 432.295).

A committee of 14 local election authority members appointed by the Missouri Association of County Clerks must approve uniform standards and electronic signature formats for a statewide voter registration system maintained by the Secretary of State within 30 days of the bill's effective date.

Applicants registering through an approved electronic system are deemed registered as of the date their signed application is submitted, provided the application is accepted and the verification notice is not returned as undeliverable.

No officer, agency, or organization may collect or submit electronic voter registration applications without prior approval from the local election authority and the voter's consent, except through systems approved under the Secretary of State's statewide system.

High-quality copies of signatures on paper documents may be used for petition verification purposes, but signatures required for petition submission under chapter 116 must remain handwritten on paper documents.