Isanti County weighing purchase of electronic poll books to replace paper rosters

Isanti County elections staff on Tuesday recommended replacing paper rosters with electronic poll books — tablet-based “poll pads” — and presented an estimated countywide upgrade cost of about $100,000, to be partly offset by a recurring state voter account grant.

The recommendation, presented by elections staffer Angie Larson, said Cambridge piloted poll pads beginning in 2018 and the county could move to a single system so election administration is not split between paper and electronic rosters. Larson said vendor quotes covering setup for the county and replacements for Cambridge total about $100,000; the state voter account grant is expected to provide roughly $40,340.93 per year while current law remains in effect.

County and city officials said the vendor-recommended deployment would be roughly 40 poll pads to cover the county, with Cambridge needing 12 replacement tablets under the quote. Cambridge city administrator Evan Vogel described the local experience as largely positive, saying the devices reduce error and speed check-in when judges and pads are trained and synced.

Larson told commissioners the devices are not connected to the internet at polling places: “Theyare never connected to the Internet. Theyare connected to each other, but they're never connected to, in the polling place.” She added that election-day registrations and signatures can be scanned and uploaded after the election, reducing lengthy manual entry work.

Proponents highlighted benefits: synced poll pads allow voters to join any line, reduce signature- and transcription-errors, streamline election-day registration and shorten post-election checks and audits. Vogel said Cambridge typically sets up four to five pads at busy precincts and has handled occasional device failures by rotating units from storage.

Concerns raised included initial and replacement costs; technology intimidation for some election judges; and the logistical needs at polling places such as power strips and trained backup procedures. Commissioner questions focused on whether the county should buy enough tablets for a 1-per-500-voters ratio the vendor suggested or a smaller number. Larson said vendor guidance is one input point and she plans to survey other counties and bring feedback to townships before any decision.

On funding and cost-sharing, Larson said earlier local agreements split remaining costs after grants between county and precincts or cities; commissioners discussed a 50/50-style split as one model, and noted townships were previously advised to budget for potential levies. Commissioners asked staff to present a detailed cost breakdown, replacement schedule and a plan to brief the township association before committing to purchase.

The county did not take a vote on Tuesday. Staff said next steps are to refine quotes, confirm grant availability for 2025 and beyond, consult townships at their quarterly meeting and return with a recommendation and budget options.

Ending: County staff will gather more detailed quotes and replacement schedules and present refined cost-share proposals to the board and township association before a final decision is made.