Bob Helland is the Independence Party of Minnesota’s candidate for Secretary of State. From the candidate’s tumblr:
Today, DFL candidate Steve Simon released what he calls “Next Generation Election Reform Proposals”.
He made two proposals that he would work towards passing legislation in support of.
1. Automated DVS Registration
2. Expanding Early Voting
Usually Rep. Simon has done his research and makes a thoughtful proposal but he really missed the ball and got it wrong this time.
First, I must reiterate that as an executive officer bound by constitutional authority and the division of powers (Article III, Sec 1), I would not prioritize any legislation for my first day in office. There are plenty of executive and administrative duties of the office that would need attention and staff that would be looking for administrative, not legislative, leadership.
Second, Steve Simon shows he is out-of-touch with (1) current legislation authorizing funding for this type of system, (2) the cost of doing business in the 21st century, and (3) the challenges of technology system development.
1. Rep. Simon is unaware of existing legislation
Simon says: “What is needed is the ability to make sure that all Minnesotans who use the DVS receive and acknowledge their opportunity to register to vote”.
Helland response: This initiative is already underway, according to the DVS Minnesota Licensing & Registration System (MNLARS) website: ”MNLARS will replace the core functionality for DVS operations. When finished, it will be an efficient, secure Web-based system for driver’s license, identification card and vehicle registration and ownership transactions.” True executive leadership would have a representative at the table as a stakeholder in the development of this solution and its requirements. That’s what I plan to do as secretary of state.
2. Rep. Simon is wrong on the cost of technology
Simon says: Delaware has achieved a new DMV-enabled voter registration system at a cost of $600,000 suggesting Minnesota could do the same for the same cost.
Helland response: Rep. Simon already voted to authorize millions of dollars for this type of system and this demonstrates misguided familiarity and a lack of systems awareness critical for the executive role we are seeking. A recent press release from the Department of Public Safety provided the figures below.
Total Budget for MNLARS Project $93 million
Expenditures as of June 1, 2014 $32.2 million
3. Rep. Simon is wrong on software development
Simon says: We can model Minnesota’s DVS system after Delaware’s system, ”a system where applicants move through a series of electronic screens to obtain, renew, or update their driver’s license or state ID. Before they can complete their licensing transaction, they view a screen where they must choose to register to vote, update an existing registration or affirmatively decline to register to vote”
Helland response: To begin with, Delaware almost necessarily had a more robust electronic DMV solution prior to the voter registration component being added in at that cost. To think we can simply build a secure screen that is just somehow accessible to DVS customers for $600,000 is out-of-touch with current process and with how technology projects are implemented and paid for. Again, the legislature during Rep. Simon’s time authorized tens of millions to provide a full function solution to replace existing solutions. In sum, we have a different starting point and we need leadership from the secretary of state to work with other state partners, not more laws and more taxpayer money.
Summary
In sum, this type of proposal really shows that Rep. Simon lacks the executive experience to know how to work within the constitutional and statutory capabilities of the role to improve our elections conduct, maintain system integrity and service the other important functions of the Office of Secretary of State, like the business services division. I pledge to restore the full function of the Office of Secretary of State, restore the independent integrity of the position by staying away from political feuds, avoiding using the political “bully pulpit” and focusing on high-performance execution, including technology enhancement and customer service improvement, rather than waste my time pursuing legislation, which is ultimately the responsibility of the Legislature and not the secretary of state.
I will note that I support the second of the proposals in that I believe Minnesota should work towards removing narrow time constraints in elections by passing early voting legislation. When the will of the people is to elect representatives to pass early voting, it will happen, not when I will it so. My priority is in the efficiency and quality of government services and information.
~Bob Helland
for Minnesota Secretary of State